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Reiko
How to Pronounce Reiko
Pronounced RAY-koh /ˈreɪ.koʊ/Medium
Meaning: Reiko is a Japanese given name ending in ko ('child'), a classic element in girls' names. The rei element can be written to mean 'lovely, beautiful,' 'courtesy,' or 'bell,' among others, so common readings include 'lovely child' or 'courteous child.' The exact meaning is set by the kanji rather than the romanized spelling.Low
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
Reiko appears in United States records from about 1921, carried by Japanese immigrant families and given to their American-born daughters. Unlike some of its cohort, it kept appearing for decades, with a small high around the mid-1970s. Even so it was never common here, given to only a couple dozen girls a year at its peak.
Reiko's long, thin presence on the rolls reflects both the early immigrant generation and later Japanese-American families who kept the -ko names alive. Its clear two-syllable sound travels well in English, giving it a quiet crossover appeal, though it has never approached common use in the United States.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Reiko mean?
It is a Japanese girl's name ending in ko ('child'), often meaning 'lovely child,' with the exact sense set by the kanji.
How do you pronounce Reiko?
It's said RAY-koh /ˈreɪ.koʊ/, two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Reiko a boy or girl name?
Reiko is used as a girl's name.
How popular is Reiko?
It has always been rare in the United States, a Japanese name carried by immigrant and heritage families and given to only a couple dozen girls a year at its peak.