Yes, you are correct about Riko and Niko, and Sakurako is another that has been popular recently.
However, it's interesting to note that all of these names break the former "rule" that girl's names ending with -ko must be three syllables: Michiko, Kimiko, Naoko, etc.
Some names like Keiko and Yoko may appear to be two syllables, but in the Japanese sound system, they are actually three. Keiko is Ke + i + ko, and Yoko has a long O: Yo + u + ko.
Riko and Niko having two syllables makes them slightly "edgy" or at least modern-sounding. The same for Sakurako, because four syllables in a girl's name ending with -ko was not formerly done. Yumeko, however, would be standard "-ko name format."
This message was edited 6/17/2024, 3:03 PM