What does Riko mean?
Riko often pairs the kanji for “jasmine” with “child” (子), a classic feminine ending.
What does Miyu mean?
Miyu commonly joins the kanji for “beauty” with “gentleness” or “superiority.”
Riko vs Miyu
Which is more popular?
Miyu is more popular than Riko today: about 7 US babies were given the name Miyu in 2025, compared with 0 named Riko.
| Riko | Miyu | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Jasmine child | Beautiful; gentle |
| Origin | Japanese | Japanese |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | REE-koh | MEE-yoo |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 2002 | 1995 |
| Peak year | 2017 (12) | 2000 (16) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 7 |
| Trend | Steady | Declining |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Riko
Miyu
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Riko | Miyu |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 18 | 35 |
| 2010s | 50 | 97 |
| 2000s | 40 | 96 |
| 1990s | 0 | 12 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Riko or Miyu more popular?
Miyu is more popular than Riko today: about 7 US babies were given the name Miyu in 2025, compared with 0 named Riko.
What is the difference between Riko and Miyu?
Riko means Jasmine child (Japanese origin), while Miyu means Beautiful; gentle (Japanese origin).
Which name is older, Riko or Miyu?
In US records, Riko first appears in 2002 and Miyu in 1995, so Miyu has the longer recorded history.