Reiko
Meaningoften lovely child · Japanese
Reiko is a Japanese girl name often meaning “lovely child”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationReiko peaked in 1936, which makes it a Silent Generation name, think grandparents and great-grandparents.
- HistoryReiko first shows up in US birth records in 1921, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 104 years since.
US births per million girls, 1921–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Reiko
Reiko is a girl name of Japanese origin meaning “often lovely child”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It was most fashionable in the 1930s, which gives it a vintage, grandparent-chic charm. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Japanese names
More Japanese girl names
- Girl name: Naomi · pleasantness
- Girl name: Noa · movement
- Girl name: Reina · queen
- Girl name: Aya · sign, verse
- Girl name: Hana · one; flower in Japanese
- Girl name: Kiyomi · often pure beauty
- Girl name: Yuna · often gentle
- Unisex name: Akira · bright, clear
Questions about the name Reiko
What does the name Reiko mean?
Reiko means “often lovely child” and comes from Japanese. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Lovely (“lovely”), Tegan (“fair, lovely”), Rena (“often lovely”) and Rana (“lovely to gaze at”).
What is the origin of the name Reiko?
Reiko is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Naomi (“pleasantness”), Noa (“movement”), Reina (“queen”) and Aya (“sign, verse”).
Is Reiko a boy or girl name?
Reiko is a girl name.
How popular is the name Reiko?
Reiko is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2023. It peaked at #2,263 in 1936, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Reiko?
If you like Reiko, you might also like Lovely, Tegan, Rena and Rana.
What should I know before naming my baby Reiko?
Reiko is a Japanese girl name often meaning “lovely child”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.