Yoko
Borrowed from Japanese ようこ (Yōko), a female given name with many variant kanji spellings.
Every Yoko since 1923 — 476 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Yoko
Yoko is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1923, 476 American babies have been named Yoko. Its peak came in 1981, when 24 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Yoko stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Yoko year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | 5 | #17,577 |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | 5 | #18,782 |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | 5 | #19,134 |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | 6 | #16,786 |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | 5 | #19,754 |
| 2009 | 5 | #20,117 |
| 2008 | 7 | #15,358 |
| 2007 | 7 | #15,431 |
| 2006 | 8 | #13,571 |
| 2005 | 10 | #10,903 |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | 5 | #18,374 |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | 9 | #11,001 |
| 2000 | 6 | #14,997 |
| 1995 | 8 | #10,502 |
| 1990 | 12 | #7,300 |
| 1985 | 14 | #5,345 |
| 1980 | 11 | #6,315 |
| 1975 | 10 | #5,981 |
| 1970 | 8 | #6,354 |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | 6 | #4,551 |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | 6 | #4,200 |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Yoko
- Yoko Ono Artist · b. 1933
- Yoko Kanno Singer · b. 1963
- Yoko Shimomura Musician · b. 1967
- Yoko Takahagi Soccer player · b. 1969
- Yoko Tawada Writer · b. 1960
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Yoko mean?
Borrowed from Japanese ようこ (Yōko), a female given name with many variant kanji spellings.
How popular is the name Yoko in 2025?
Yoko did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Yoko?
476 babies have been named Yoko in the United States since 1923, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Yoko most popular?
Yoko peaked in 1981, when 24 newborns received the name.
Is Yoko a boy or girl name?
Yoko is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Yoko rising or falling?
Yoko is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Yoko?
Well-known people named Yoko include Yoko Ono (artist), Yoko Kanno (singer), Yoko Shimomura (musician).