According to creator Shotaro Ishinomori, "Kikaider" is a cross between the Japanese word "kikai" (Japanese for "machine") and the English word "rider" (as in Ishinomori's other famous superhero, Masked Rider/"Kamen Raidâ" (1971)). However, these two "rider" superheroes are different by theme; Masked Rider is a cyborg, and Kikaider is an android.