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