Theo Name Meaning

Theo has long been one of the most popular boy’s names in the English-speaking world, but where did it come from and why is it so beloved? Let’s explore the origin and meaning of this classic name, and the reasons why it continues to be a favorite among parents.

History of the Name

Theo originated as a short form of the Greek name Theodore, which means “God’s gift.” The name has been around since at least the Middle Ages, when it was popular among royalty in Europe. It has been used as a given name in the United States since at least the 1800s, and has remained a popular choice throughout the decades.

Meaning and Symbolism

Theo is often associated with intelligence and ambition, as well as creativity and a zest for life. It is a name that carries with it a sense of optimism and a desire for exploration. It is also seen as a name that is strong and reliable, and a symbol of faith and loyalty.

Popularity of the Name

Theo has been a consistently popular name in the United States, making the list of the most popular boy’s names in the country for many years. In recent years, it has seen a surge in popularity and was even one of the top ten names of 2020. It is also popular in other English-speaking countries, such as the United Kingdom and Australia.

Why Theo is Still Loved

Theo is a classic name that is beloved for its timelessness and versatility. It is a name that is strong and reliable, yet also carries a sense of playfulness and creativity. It is a name that can easily be shortened to “Teddy” or “Theo” or used as is. It is a name that has a long history, but still feels modern and relevant.

Conclusion

Theo is a timeless name that is beloved for its classic style and meaning. It is a name that has a long history but still feels modern and relevant. It is a name that carries with it a sense of optimism and a desire for exploration. It is a name that is strong and reliable, and a symbol of faith and loyalty. It is no wonder that Theo continues to be a popular choice for parents all over the world.

Infographic of Theo name meaning, which is A shortened form of Theodore, Theo is a Greek name meaning God's gift.
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Theo Name Popularity

How popular is the name Theo? Here’s everything we know.

Year Rank # Births % Births
1910 413 14 0.004%
1911 701 5 0.0013%
1912 597 18 0.0036%
1913 552 31 0.0055%
1914 518 54 0.0077%
1915 609 55 0.0061%
1916 555 68 0.007%
1917 627 56 0.0056%
1918 628 60 0.0056%
1919 624 60 0.0057%
1920 669 55 0.0049%
1921 622 70 0.0061%
1922 626 72 0.0065%
1923 643 64 0.0057%
1924 717 48 0.0041%
1925 610 72 0.0064%
1926 569 81 0.0074%
1927 625 67 0.0061%
1928 650 56 0.0052%
1929 813 30 0.0029%
1930 649 55 0.0053%
1931 582 67 0.0068%
1932 663 48 0.0049%
1933 771 28 0.003%
1934 791 27 0.0028%
1935 708 37 0.0038%
1936 674 39 0.004%
1937 1,018 12 0.0012%
1938 762 30 0.0029%
1939 1,005 12 0.0012%
1940 1,444 5 0.0005%
1941 1,166 7 0.0006%
1942 1,111 11 0.0009%
1943 855 25 0.0019%
1944 1,082 11 0.0009%
1945 1,394 5 0.0004%
1946 994 17 0.0012%
1947 1,543 5 0.0003%
1948 1,348 6 0.0004%
1949 1,315 6 0.0004%
1950 1,133 12 0.0007%
1951 1,262 8 0.0005%
1952 1,046 17 0.001%
1953 1,420 6 0.0003%
1954 — 0 0%
1955 1,431 6 0.0003%
1956 1,231 11 0.0006%
1957 1,601 5 0.0003%
1958 — 0 0%
1959 1,543 5 0.0003%
1960 1,502 5 0.0003%
1961 — 0 0%
1962 1,438 6 0.0003%
1963 — 0 0%
1964 — 0 0%
1965 1,132 14 0.0009%
1966 — 0 0%
1967 1,365 6 0.0004%
1968 — 0 0%
1969 1,246 12 0.0008%
1970 — 0 0%
1971 — 0 0%
1972 — 0 0%
1973 — 0 0%
1974 1,860 5 0.0004%
1975 1,242 16 0.0012%
1976 1,174 19 0.0015%
1977 1,315 15 0.0011%
1978 1,812 5 0.0004%
1979 — 0 0%
1980 — 0 0%
1981 — 0 0%
1982 — 0 0%
1983 — 0 0%
1984 — 0 0%
1985 1,279 23 0.0015%
1986 1,029 41 0.0027%
1987 1,292 24 0.0016%
1988 1,055 47 0.003%
1989 1,223 35 0.0022%
1990 1,477 24 0.0014%
1991 1,828 14 0.0009%
1992 1,564 22 0.0014%
1993 1,734 16 0.001%
1994 1,746 17 0.0011%
1995 1,547 23 0.0015%
1996 1,703 18 0.0012%
1997 1,508 28 0.0019%
1998 1,605 26 0.0017%
1999 1,694 22 0.0015%
2000 1,291 51 0.0033%
2001 1,439 40 0.0027%
2002 1,366 47 0.0031%
2003 1,261 62 0.0041%
2004 1,193 78 0.0051%
2005 1,205 78 0.0051%
2006 1,108 103 0.0066%
2007 986 139 0.0088%
2008 1,010 132 0.0085%
2009 982 141 0.0094%
2010 878 180 0.0125%
2011 863 184 0.0129%
2012 768 238 0.0167%
2013 649 319 0.0224%
2014 504 507 0.0348%
2015 406 723 0.0497%
2016 353 904 0.0627%
2017 286 1,205 0.0863%
2018 240 1,529 0.1113%
2019 193 1,995 0.1474%
2020 175 2,138 0.168%
2021 142 2,680 0.2192%

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Data via SSA.gov.

Names Like Theo

If you like Theo, you’ll love these other names like Theo.

What names sound like Theo?

If you like how Theo sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Theo.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Teo

God

Spanish

Teyo

God

Spanish

Thu

Autumn

Vietnamese

Tye

English

What names are similar to Theo?

Find a name that’s like Theo, but just a little bit different.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Che

Spanish

Leo

Lion

Latin

Reo

River

Spanish

Shea

Admirable

Gaelic

Thad

Heart

English

Thano

Eternal life

Greek

Thaw

Melt

English

Theon

Hunter

Greek

Thilo

Power of the tribe

German

Thom

Twin

Aramaic

Thor

Thunder

Scandinavian

Lists With Theo

Find inspiration in these baby boy name lists featuring the name Theo.

Siblings of Theo

Mamas with kids named Theo also have kids with these names.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Lena

Woman from Magdala

Hebrew

Oliver

Olive tree

English

14 Comments

  1. the name theo just has a nice ring to it, aslo an uncommon name in my opinion.

    Reply

  2. My boyfriend and I had a slew of girl names but no boy names when I got pregnant. When we could think of boy names we liked we couldn’t agree on anything. One day my boyfriend suggested Theodore, after Theodore Roosevelt, and I remember actually pausing and being like hmm actually yeah and he could go by Theo! And he smiled and said yeah I like that. We were both very excited because we finally agreed on a name we both liked!

    Reply

  3. We both loved Theo and we both felt it was a sweet name. My husbands name in his French class was Theo and he always liked the name. This is the name of our first born son.

    Reply

  4. We just love the name!

    Reply

  5. Cute and short
    Not stuffy

    Reply

  6. Both Dad and I like President Roosevelt and Baby felt even tempered and loving of nature in the womb, plus he is such a gift from God which is what the name Theo means!

    Reply

  7. We’re fans of Teddy Roosevelt, but more than that, Theodore means “God given” and our little boy is! He brings such light to this scary time.
    We also love the name because he can go by Theo, Teddy, or Theodore when he gets older. For now, we call him Theo.

    Reply

    • Theo is my grandson’s name and I LOVE it. He is so sweet, happy, and charming and he was born on my birthday so he was certainly a “divine gift,” which the name means!! (Definitely the best nickname for Theodore!) Enjoy him!!

      Reply

  8. For our love of the outdoors, the name Theodore was very special to us. It was inspired by Teddy Roosevelt who helped start the National Park Service.

    Reply

  9. Find the name for our baby boy was super difficult. My husband is french and I’m Mexican, so we had to find a name easy to pronunce in both languages.
    The incredible about Th?o is: the same pronunciation and practically the same signification in Europe and Prehispanic Mexico. Th?o in greeg and Teo or Teotl in Nahuatl. Th?o/Teo means God, sacred, magnificence, greatness. And for us is also the union of two persons with diferent cultures together in one same love.

    Reply

  10. We thought it was a normal enough name but not overused at this time.

    Reply

  11. We wanted something a little different and unique. It just felt like it fit him!

    Reply

  12. Theo is derived from Theodore, which was my father’s name.

    Reply

  13. We liked Thea for a girl. Then we had a boy. So we went with Theo.

    Reply

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