Find out how popular the first name Kiki has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kiki by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Kiki is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 97% of people named Kiki being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 13 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Kiki.

The history of the first name Kiki

The name Kiki is believed to have originated from the Japanese language, where it is a diminutive form of the name Keiko. The name Keiko itself is derived from the Japanese words "kei," meaning "blessed" or "respect," and "ko," meaning "child."

One of the earliest known references to the name Kiki can be found in the Japanese folktale "Kiki's Delivery Service" by Eiko Kadono. Published in 1985, the story follows the adventures of a young witch named Kiki as she embarks on her mandatory year of training.

In ancient Japanese culture, the name Kiki was often associated with qualities such as strength, resilience, and determination. It was believed that giving a child a name with these connotations would imbue them with similar traits.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Kiki was Kiki Musamune, a renowned Japanese swordsmith who lived during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. His swords were highly prized for their exceptional craftsmanship and are considered national treasures in Japan.

Another notable figure was Kiki Dee, an English singer-songwriter born Pauline Matthews in 1947. She achieved widespread success in the 1970s with hits such as "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" (a duet with Elton John) and "I've Got the Music in Me."

In the world of literature, Kiki Strike is the main character in a series of novels by Kirsten Miller, first published in 2006. The books follow the adventures of a group of eccentric teenagers led by the enigmatic Kiki Strike.

In the realm of sports, Kiki Bertens is a Dutch professional tennis player born in 1992. She has won numerous titles on the WTA Tour and reached a career-high ranking of No. 4 in the world in 2019.

Lastly, Kiki Dimoula is a celebrated Greek poet born in 1931. Her work has been widely translated and has earned her numerous awards, including the prestigious European Prize for Literature in 2004.

These are just a few examples of the diverse array of individuals who have borne the name Kiki throughout history, showcasing its enduring appeal across various cultures and disciplines.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Kiki was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kiki, please contact us.

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