Fun Facts About the Name Maiko
- 116 babies named Maiko: U.S. records list 116 babies given the name Maiko from 1880 through 2025. Even 45 boys received the name Maiko - about 1 boy for every 2 girls.
What Does the Name Maiko Mean?
Maiko is a feminine Japanese given name. The common spelling 舞子 combines 舞 (mai), "dance," with 子 (ko), "child," and is commonly understood as "dancing child" or "child of dance." That is a literal reading of the kanji, not a fixed meaning of the sound Maiko: Japanese names can be written with different characters, and other spellings carry different associations.
A separate Georgian feminine name, Maiko (მაიკო), is a diminutive of Maia formed with the Georgian suffix -iko, so it can be rendered "little Maia." Maia comes from Greek Μαῖα, the name of a nymph in Greek myth and of a Roman goddess of spring; its deeper etymology is uncertain. The Georgian name is unrelated to the Japanese name.
Maiko Name History & Origins
In Japan, Maiko belongs to the large group of women's names ending in 子 (ko, "child"). The first element is chosen for its meaning or sound, so 舞子 is one possible written form; another is 麻衣子, where the first two characters are used phonetically rather than as a single literal phrase. This pattern is ordinary Japanese name-making rather than borrowing from another language.
The word maiko (舞妓) also denotes an apprentice geisha, especially in Kyoto. That term uses 妓, a character for a female performer or entertainer, and is a separate occupational word; it is not the source of the given name, though the shared romanization causes confusion in English.
In Georgia, Maiko is an affectionate form of Maia that has become a name in its own right. Georgian has a productive diminutive ending -iko, as in Niniko from Nino and Sopiko from Sopo; Maiko follows the same pattern with Maia. The name is used in Georgia alongside Maia, and its history is tied to that name rather than to the Japanese name.
How Popular is the Name Maiko?
Maiko has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1992. Its best rank was #8,047 in 1977.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | #17,347 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1997 | #13,082 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1994 | #12,758 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1993 | #14,829 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1992 | #10,062 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1990 | #12,297 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1989 | #13,666 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1985 | #11,734 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1984 | #8,723 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1977 | #8,047 | 7 | 0.0005% |
| 1976 | #8,770 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1974 | #9,611 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #13,194 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2024 | #11,786 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2023 | #11,714 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2013 | #11,624 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2012 | #11,722 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2011 | #13,590 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1999 | #9,452 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1997 | #10,206 | 5 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Most Popular Girl Names That Start with M
Short Girl Names That Start with M
How the Name Maiko Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have psychic power. You can carry on for others with joy. You have a receptive nature and may bear burdens for others. You are pragmatic, thorough, strong-willed, practical and stubborn at times. You are hard working, often martyr to duty. You like home and security above all. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
Dependable, very down-to-earth and well grounded, you are always looking for meaningful work, a career where you can take pride in your work and do the best job you are capable of. Your prime desire is to build protected and secure environment at home and at work. You can be very persuasive in achieving goals and gaining objectives. You can be very detailed and well-organized and possess great organizational skills. At times you may appear too stubborn and overly critical to others, but your practical approach to life and productivity makes you one of the most beneficent members of community.
✦ Maiko's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Maiko's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.