Meiko Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAY-koh /meɪkoʊ/
Origin: Japanese; Chinese
Meaning: blessing or favor (Japanese); beautiful (Chinese)
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Meiko has its roots in Japanese, where it can be derived from various kanji characters, each imparting different meanings. One common interpretation of Meiko is from the kanji 美 (mei), meaning "beautiful," and 子 (ko), meaning "child," thus translating to "beautiful child." The name can also be associated with other kanji combinations, each reflecting positive attributes or qualities.
The linguistic journey of Meiko into English is primarily through cultural exchange and the influence of Japanese media, particularly during the 20th century, as Western interest in Japanese culture grew. Historically, the name Meiko does not have significant milestones akin to those of names with biblical or royal connections, as it is more modern and culturally specific to Japan.
However, it has been used in various forms of Japanese literature and media, contributing to its recognition outside Japan. The name's usage can be traced back to the early 20th century, coinciding with Japan's modernization and the global spread of its cultural products, including anime and literature, which often feature characters with this name.
Culturally, Meiko embodies the traditional Japanese values of beauty and harmony, making it a name that resonates with positive connotations. The name's appeal is further enhanced by its phonetic simplicity, which allows for ease of pronunciation in various languages.
While diminutive forms such as Mei exist, they are often context-specific and may not carry the same cultural weight as the full name. Overall, Meiko reflects a blend of aesthetic appreciation and cultural significance, embodying the qualities that are cherished in Japanese naming traditions.
Famous people named Meiko
In this section, you will find notable people named Meiko. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Meiko who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Meiko who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Meiko Kaji is an actress and singer best known for Lady Snowblood, Female Prisoner Scorpion, and The Devil's Ballad.
Meiko is a singer-songwriter best known for her albums Meiko, The Bright Side, and Moving Day.
Fictional characters named Meiko
The following list of fictional characters named Meiko is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Meiko is a fictional character from the video game series Vocaloid. She is a virtual singer known for her powerful voice and is often depicted as a strong, confident woman.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Meiko, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Meiko was first seen in the United States in 1992.
Meiko has ranked as high as #1345 nationally, which occurred in 2021, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Meiko has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Meiko is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Meiko was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Meiko
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Meiko.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2013 | 13 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 1992 | 5 |