Kikue

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Kikue

Pronounced kee-KOO-eh /kiˈkuːe/Medium

Meaning: Kikue is a Japanese feminine name written in romaji here. Its meaning depends entirely on the kanji chosen by a family, but the common kiku element means 'chrysanthemum', a flower long treasured in Japanese culture, often paired with an element such as e, 'branch' or 'blessing'. Without the specific characters the exact sense cannot be fixed, so this is offered as the usual reading.Low

In 30 seconds: Kikue is a Japanese girl's name, its meaning kanji-dependent; the common kiku element means 'chrysanthemum' (said kee-KOO-eh).

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Origin MediumJapanese

MeaningKikue is a Japanese feminine name written in romaji here. Its meaning depends entirely on the kanji chosen by a family, but the common kiku element means 'chrysanthemum', a flower long treasured in Japanese culture, often paired with an element such as e, 'branch' or 'blessing'. Without the specific characters the exact sense cannot be fixed, so this is offered as the usual reading.

U.S. rank (1931)#2883 ↗ Rising

1931 U.S. births10 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1920

Total births (all-time)≈ 297

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

Kikue is a Japanese given name recorded for American girls in Issei and Nisei families in the early twentieth century. Written with kanji, its meaning turns on the characters used; the frequent kiku element means 'chrysanthemum'. Romaji alone cannot capture the intended sense, which we note honestly.

In United States records it was rare and short-lived, reaching only a couple dozen girls a year around 1920 among Japanese-American families before its brief window closed. A Kikue from that time belongs to a great-grandmother's generation now, part of the immigrant-era Japanese-American story.

Did you know? Kikue's kiku element names the chrysanthemum, a flower so esteemed in Japan that it symbolizes the imperial family.

Overall data confidence 50%

References - Kikue — Japanese; kanji-dependent; kiku 'chrysanthemum'. Romaji only

Variations

KikuyeKikuyoKiku

Nicknames

KikuKay

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If you like Kikue…

Kimiko— a like Japanese feminine name of the era

Chiyoko— another Issei-era Japanese girl's name

Sumiko— a similar -ko Japanese name

Kazue— echoes that soft -ue sound

Mitsue— another Japanese name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kikue mean?

It's a Japanese name whose meaning depends on its kanji; the common kiku element means 'chrysanthemum'.

How do you pronounce Kikue?

It's said kee-KOO-eh /kiˈkuːe/, three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Kikue a boy or girl name?

Kikue is used as a girl's name.

Is Kikue a popular name?

No, it was always rare in America, a Japanese-heritage name seen only among immigrant families in the early twentieth century.