What does Kiku mean?
Kiku is the Japanese word for the chrysanthemum, a flower of autumn and of the imperial family.
What does Sumire mean?
Sumire is the Japanese word for the violet flower.
Kiku vs Sumire
Which is more popular?
Kiku and Sumire are given to a similar number of US babies today.
| Kiku | Sumire | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Chrysanthemum | Violet |
| Origin | Japanese | Japanese |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | KEE-koo | soo-MEE-reh |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1915 | 1994 |
| Peak year | 1915 (7) | 2018 (11) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| Trend | Steady | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Kiku
Sumire
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Kiku | Sumire |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 0 | 26 |
| 2010s | 0 | 61 |
| 2000s | 0 | 17 |
| 1990s | 0 | 10 |
| 1910s | 7 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Kiku or Sumire more popular?
Kiku and Sumire are given to a similar number of US babies today.
What is the difference between Kiku and Sumire?
Kiku means Chrysanthemum (Japanese origin), while Sumire means Violet (Japanese origin).
Which name is older, Kiku or Sumire?
In US records, Kiku first appears in 1915 and Sumire in 1994, so Kiku has the longer recorded history.