Mikko is a Finnish male given name with an origin dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the old Finnish personal name "Mikkonen," which itself comes from the word "mikka," meaning "darling" or "pet." The name Mikko was traditionally given to children born around Christmas time, as it was believed that St. Nicholas (known in Finland as Joulupukki) would bring gifts and good fortune to those named after him.
Over time, Mikko has become one of the most popular names in Finland, often used independently or as part of a compound name like "Mikko-Pekka" or "Pekka-Mikko." It is also sometimes spelled without the double 'k,' appearing as "Miko."
The name Mikko gained international recognition through Finnish athletes such as Mikko Hyppönen (a musician and cybersecurity expert) and Mikko Koivu (an ice hockey player). Despite its historical association with Christmas, today Mikko is simply seen as a traditional yet distinctive Finnish name that has been carried through generations.
The name Mikko has been a part of the American landscape for several decades now, with its first recorded appearance in the U.S. Social Security baby names database in 1974. Since then, it has experienced varying degrees of popularity.
From 1974 to 1993, the number of babies named Mikko remained relatively low, fluctuating between 5 and 8 births per year. However, beginning in 1992, there was a noticeable increase in the popularity of this name, with a peak of 21 births recorded in 2006.
The years 2007 to 2023 have seen a further increase in the usage of the name Mikko. Since 2008, the annual number of babies named Mikko has consistently exceeded 20, reaching an all-time high of 53 births in 2021. The most recent data from 2023 shows that this trend continues with 45 recorded births.
Overall, since its first appearance in 1974, there have been a total of 762 babies named Mikko born in the United States up until 2023. This steady growth in popularity suggests that Mikko is now well-established as a popular choice among American parents.