Ikuko as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Ikuko

What is the meaning of the name Ikuko ?

The baby name Ikuko is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced IPA: /i.ku.ko/; respelling: EE-koo-koh.

Ikuko is Japanese in Origin.

Ikuko is a Japanese feminine given name; its meaning depends on the kanji chosen. Common spellings include 郁子 (“fragrant; cultured” + “child”), 育子 (“nurture; raise” + “child”), and 幾子 (“many; abundant” + “child”); it may also be written entirely in hiragana (いくこ) or katakana (イクコ). The name is pronounced EE-koo-koh. A familiar short form is Iku. Because of the flexible kanji, interpretations range from “cultivated child” to “well‑nurtured child” or “child of abundance.”

Use of Ikuko aligns with the long tradition of feminine names ending in 子 (ko, “child”), a style especially fashionable in Japan from the Taishō through mid‑Shōwa eras, before declining late in the 20th century. It remains a classic, occasionally revived for its elegance and retro charm. Noted bearers include violinist-composer Kawai Ikuko (川井郁子) and voice actor Tani Ikuko (谷育子).