Miko

♂ Boy

Pronounced MEE-koh /ˈmiː.koʊ/High

Meaning: Who is like God?; a short form of Mikael/Michael (Hebrew: mi-ka-el: who is like God?); also Japanese miko (shrine maiden, female shaman serving at a Shinto shrine)Medium

In 30 seconds: A name at the junction of Hebrew and Japanese: a short form of Michael (who is like God?) and independently the Japanese word for a Shinto shrine maiden (miko). Its two-syllable warmth works across cultural contexts.

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Origin MediumJapanese, Hebrew

MeaningWho is like God?; a short form of Mikael/Michael (Hebrew: mi-ka-el: who is like God?); also Japanese miko (shrine maiden, female shaman serving at a Shinto shrine)

U.S. rank (2025)#2743 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births47 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 978

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

Miko functions as a short form of Mikael/Mikailo (Slavic/Finnish forms of Michael: who is like God?) and as an independent Japanese name — the Japanese word miko refers to a female shrine attendant in Shinto practice.

Miko ranked #2455 for boys in 2024. Its use reflects both European (Michael-short form) and Japanese heritage in U.S. communities.

Did you know? In Shinto tradition, a miko (shrine maiden) is a woman who serves at a Jinja (Shinto shrine) — assisting in rituals, performing sacred dances (kagura), and selling protective charms (omamori). The role has existed in Japan for over 1,000 years.

Overall data confidence 80%

U.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MikaelMiko

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Miko Hughes (1986-)
American former child actor in Pet Sematary and Full House
★Miko Mission
Italian italo-disco singer behind the hit "How Old Are You?"
★Miko Tripalo (1926-1995)
Croatian politician central to the Croatian Spring movement

If you like Miko…

Mikael— the Scandinavian form Miko may abbreviate

Nico— two-syllable -o ending European name with the same warm brevity

Nikko— a similarly popular pick

Mikko— shares Miko's Hebrew roots

Mekhi— shares Miko's Hebrew roots

Explore names like Miko

By themehebrew two-syllable japanese multicultural michael-family

By meaningGod / Divine

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Miko mean?

Miko means 'who is like God?' as a short form of Michael, or 'shrine maiden' in Japanese Shinto tradition (a woman who serves at a sacred shrine).

How do you pronounce Miko?

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

Is Miko a boy or girl name?

Miko appears in boys' data in 2024, though it is also used for girls (particularly in Japan).

How popular is Miko?

Miko ranked #2455 for U.S. boys in 2024.