Yoko
Meaningoften child of the sun · Japanese
Yoko is a Japanese girl name often meaning “child of the sun”. 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?
- GenerationYoko peaked in 1933, which makes it a Silent Generation name, think grandparents and great-grandparents.
- HistoryYoko first shows up in US birth records in 1923, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 102 years since.
US births per million girls, 1923–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Yoko
Yoko is a girl name of Japanese origin meaning “often child of the sun”. 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 Yoko
What does the name Yoko mean?
Yoko means “often child of the sun” and comes from Japanese. Names built around “sun” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Marisol (“sea and sun”), Sol (“sun”), Soleil (“sun”) and Ahana (“first rays of the sun”).
What is the origin of the name Yoko?
Yoko is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Naomi (“pleasantness”), Noa (“movement”), Reina (“queen”) and Aya (“sign, verse”).
Is Yoko a boy or girl name?
Yoko is a girl name.
How popular is the name Yoko?
Yoko is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2021. It peaked at #2,540 in 1933, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Yoko?
If you like Yoko, you might also like Marisol, Sol, Soleil and Ahana.
What should I know before naming my baby Yoko?
Yoko is a Japanese girl name often meaning “child of the sun”. 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.