Kiyoko

“child of joy”

Japan origin · Girl name

♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls

#9973US 2023

10Births / yr

↑Rising

877All-time births

📅 Since 191200

How to pronounce Kiyoko

KEE·YOH·koh

/ˈkiː.ˈjoʊ.koʊ/ · stress on KEE · 3 syllables

“child of joy”

Japan origin · Girl name

What does Kiyoko mean and where does it come from?

Kiyoko is a traditional Japanese name often written as きよこ in Hiragana or 潔子 in Kanji. The name signifies 'child of joy', reflecting a hopeful or happy disposition. Kiyoko has been used in Japan for many generations and carries a cultural weight of happiness and purity. Notable personalities with th

Cultural significance

Kiyoko has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Japan-speaking communities, where it reflects values of japanese.

Peak popularity

Reached #986 in 1921 — currently #9973 in the US.

🌿

What middle names flow best with Kiyoko?

Kiyoko works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Kiyoko Grace

How popular is Kiyoko right now?

Rising fast — up 845 spots — currently #9973 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1915–2023#9973 · Top 7.4%

1915

1920

1925

1930

1935

1985

1990

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#9973	10	▲ up 845 · +11% births
2022	#10818	9	▼ down 857 · -10% births
2021	#9961	10	▲ up 2179 · +43% births
2020	#12140	7	▼ down 2622 · -36% births
2015	#9518	11	▲ up 5542 · +83% births
2010	#15060	6	▼ down 3544
1990	#11516	6	▼ down 674 · +20% births
1985	#10842	5	▼ down 8312 · -58% births
1935	#2530	12	▼ down 142 · -14% births
1930	#2388	14	▼ down 982 · -59% births
1925	#1406	34	▼ down 402 · -38% births
1920	#1004	55	▲ up 958 · +224% births
1915	#1962	17	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Kiyoko

Best Year1920Rank #1004

Peak Count55

Average Rank#7624

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1915 - 202313 years

The story of Kiyoko

Kiyoko entered American naming records in 1912 and has been in use for over 112 years. With 877 total births recorded, Kiyoko remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #1962 in 1915, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #9973 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Kiyoko in 1921:

Mary Dorothy Helen Margaret Ruth

Kiyoko by decade

Kiyoko peaked in the 1920s. See all 1920s names →

Decade	Births
1910s	207
1920s ★	417
1930s	88
1940s	5
1970s	22
1980s	30
1990s	17
2000s	27
2010s	57
2020s	7

💎Kiyoko has only 877 total recorded births since 1912 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Kiyoko?

Common

KiyKiyieKiyyOko

What names sound and feel like Kiyoko?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Kiyoko also consider these

Kiyono

Japan · 清の meaning purity

Miyoko

Japan · beautiful child

Japan · Abundant child (裕子)

Chiyoko

Japan · Child of a

Kyoko

Japan · Mirror, Child

Kiyori

Japan · 清り (kiyori) -

How is Kiyoko written in other languages?

清子, 聖子, etc.

Japanese Kanji

Common questions about the name Kiyoko

What does the name Kiyoko mean?

Kiyoko means "Japanese" — a name rooted in Japan tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Kiyoko?

Kiyoko is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Kiyoko have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Kiyoko?

Kiyoko originates from Japan tradition. Japan names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Kiyoko?

Kiyoko is a three-syllable name pronounced K IY1 Y OW1 K OW0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

What sibling names go well with Kiyoko?

Kiyoko pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Japan heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.