Esko is a Finnish given name of unknown origin, though it is believed to have been coined by the writer and literary critic Yrjö Hirn. The name gained popularity in Finland during the early 20th century and has since remained a popular choice for boys. It has also been used occasionally as a girl's name in Finland. Internationally, Esko is not widely known, but it has appeared on birth registers in countries such as Sweden, Norway, and Denmark due to Finnish immigration and cultural influence.
The name Esko experienced a resurgence in popularity around the turn of the century, with a significant increase in births from 2017 onwards. However, it seems to have peaked in recent years, with births dropping slightly in 2023 compared to 2022. Overall, there have been 45 births named Esko since 1917.