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Iniko

♂ Boy

Pronounced ee-NEE-koh /iˈni.koʊ/Medium

Meaning: From the Efik/Ibibio (Nigeria) Iniko, 'born in troubled/hard times; born during difficulty'Low

In 30 seconds: Born in troubled/hard times: Iniko is Nigerian. Lyrical, classic, and warm (said 'ee-NEE-koh').

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Origin LowAfrican, Nigerian

MeaningFrom the Efik/Ibibio (Nigeria) Iniko, 'born in troubled/hard times; born during difficulty'

U.S. rank (2025)#6952 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births12 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2020

Total births (all-time)≈ 150

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Iniko comes from the Efik/Ibibio (Nigeria) Iniko, 'born in troubled/hard times; born during difficulty'. A lyrical, classic name (said 'ee-NEE-koh').

In the U.S. it appears in Nigerian families. Rare, born-in-hard-times at the root, and lyrical.

Did you know? Iniko means 'born in troubled/hard times; born during difficulty' in the Efik/Ibibio language of Nigeria — a lyrical, classic name (said 'ee-NEE-koh').

Overall data confidence 40%

References — Iniko — Ibibio etymology

Variations

InikohInyiko

Nicknames

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Iniko mean?

Iniko is Efik/Ibibio (Nigeria) for 'born in troubled/hard times'.

How do you pronounce Iniko?

It's said ee-NEE-koh /iˈni.koʊ/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Iniko a boy or girl name?

Iniko is a boy's name (used for both sexes in some families).

How popular is Iniko?

Iniko is a very rare name in the U.S.