What does Sumire mean?
Sumire is the Japanese word for the violet flower.
What does Riko mean?
Riko often pairs the kanji for “jasmine” with “child” (子), a classic feminine ending.
Sumire vs Riko
Which is more popular?
Sumire and Riko are given to a similar number of US babies today.
| Sumire | Riko | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Violet | Jasmine child |
| Origin | Japanese | Japanese |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | soo-MEE-reh | REE-koh |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1994 | 2002 |
| Peak year | 2018 (11) | 2017 (12) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| Trend | Rising | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Sumire
Riko
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Sumire | Riko |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 26 | 18 |
| 2010s | 61 | 50 |
| 2000s | 17 | 40 |
| 1990s | 10 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Sumire or Riko more popular?
Sumire and Riko are given to a similar number of US babies today.
What is the difference between Sumire and Riko?
Sumire means Violet (Japanese origin), while Riko means Jasmine child (Japanese origin).
Which name is older, Sumire or Riko?
In US records, Sumire first appears in 1994 and Riko in 2002, so Sumire has the longer recorded history.