Keiko

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAY-koh /ˈkeɪ.koʊ/Medium

Meaning: From Japanese kei, 'blessing; respect; happiness', plus ko, 'child' — 'a blessed/respectful/happy child'Medium

In 30 seconds: A blessed child: Keiko is Japanese for 'a blessed/happy child'. Soft, classic, and warm (said 'KAY-koh').

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Origin MediumJapanese

MeaningFrom Japanese kei, 'blessing; respect; happiness', plus ko, 'child' — 'a blessed/respectful/happy child'

U.S. rank (2025)#6689 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births17 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1995

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,170

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

Keiko comes from Japanese kei — which, depending on the kanji, can mean 'blessing', 'respect', 'reverence', or 'happiness' — plus ko, 'child' — 'a blessed, respectful, or happy child' (the kanji shape the meaning, which we note). A soft, classic, traditional Japanese girls' name (also the name of the orca who played Free Willy's Keiko; said 'KAY-koh').

In the U.S. it appears in Japanese families. Rare, a-blessed-child at the root, and classic.

Did you know? Keiko joins Japanese kei (variously 'blessing', 'respect', or 'happiness', depending on the kanji) with ko, 'child' — 'a blessed, respectful, or happy child' — a soft, classic Japanese girls' name (said 'KAY-koh').

Overall data confidence 72%

Japanese references — Keiko — kanji vary

Variations

Keyko

Nicknames

Kei

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Keiko…

Yuki— a companion Japanese girls' name

Emiko— another -ko Japanese girls' name

Aiko— shares the -ko ending

Kimiko— echoes that soft -ko sound

Kaya— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Keiko

By themeuncertain japanese

By meaningJoy Gift / Blessing

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Keiko mean?

Keiko is Japanese for 'a blessed/respectful/happy child' (kei + ko, 'child'); the kanji shape the meaning.

How do you pronounce Keiko?

It's said KAY-koh /ˈkeɪ.koʊ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Keiko a boy or girl name?

Keiko is a girl's name.

How popular is Keiko?

Keiko is a rare name in the U.S.