Neko

♂ Boy

Pronounced NEH-koh /ˈnɛ.koʊ/Medium

Meaning: Modern name echoing Niko (Greek 'victory of the people') and Japanese neko, 'cat'; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Sleek and playful: Neko echoes Niko — 'victory of the people' — and the Japanese word for 'cat'. Crisp, modern, and a little whimsical.

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Origin LowAmerican, Japanese

MeaningModern name echoing Niko (Greek 'victory of the people') and Japanese neko, 'cat'; routes layered

U.S. rank (2025)#3424 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births34 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2021

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,001

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

Neko is a modern name echoing Niko — a short form of Nicholas, Greek 'victory of the people' — and the Japanese word neko, 'cat' (routes layered, which we note). Musician Neko Case made the sound familiar.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, victory-or-cat in echo, and modern.

Did you know? Neko means 'cat' in Japanese — a fun echo — while as a name it also brushes Niko, the short form of Nicholas, 'victory of the people'.

Overall data confidence 55%

References — Niko / neko — routes layered

Variations

NikoNicoNekoh

Nicknames

Nek

Famous Bearers

★Neko Case (1970-)
American singer-songwriter and member of The New Pornographers, known for her powerful soprano voice

If you like Neko…

Niko— the name it echoes

Nico— a companion short form

Kaito— a fellow Japanese-toned name

Ren— another crisp modern name

Explore names like Neko

By themeuncertain american japanese

By meaningVictory

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Neko mean?

Neko echoes Niko ('victory of the people') and the Japanese word for 'cat'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Neko?

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

Is Neko a boy or girl name?

Neko is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Neko?

Neko is a rare name in the U.S.