Koi
Koi is a boy's name of Japanese origin.
Meaning
Carp (fish), or love/affection depending on the written kanji.
Origin and history
Koi is a given name derived from the Japanese word for the carp fish, which symbolizes perseverance, strength, and good fortune in East Asian culture. It can also refer to the homophone meaning 'love' or 'affection' in Japanese depending on the kanji used. The name has seen a modest rise in contemporary U.S. popularity as a short, nature-inspired modern choice.
Popularity in the United States
813 babies in the United States have been named Koi since 1880. It ranks #3863 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1619.
States where it is most popular
- TX (28.5 %)
- GA (20 %)
- LA (18.5 %)
- FL (11.5 %)
- PA (9.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 0 |
| 1990-2000 | 33 |
| 2000-2010 | 157 |
| 2010-2019 | 315 |
| 2020-2029 | 308 |
Fun facts
- In East Asian folklore, koi fish are associated with perseverance and good luck due to their ability to swim upstream.
- When written in Japanese kanji, 'koi' can mean either 'carp' or 'love/affection' depending on the character chosen.
- More than a third of all recorded U.S. male births for the name Koi have occurred since 2020.