Theo
Theo is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
God or divine gift.
Origin and history
Theo is derived from the Greek word for god, often serving as a short form of Theodore or Theophilus. While historically used as an independent given name, it has experienced a significant surge in U.S. popularity in recent years. It offers a vintage, friendly alternative to longer classic names.
Popularity in the United States
35,830 babies in the United States have been named Theo since 1880. It ranks #608 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #105.
States where it is most popular
- CA (12.5 %)
- TX (7.2 %)
- NY (7.2 %)
- FL (5.4 %)
- IL (4.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 93 |
| 1890-1900 | 118 |
| 1900-1910 | 226 |
| 1910-1920 | 714 |
| 1920-1930 | 980 |
| 1930-1940 | 680 |
| 1940-1950 | 440 |
| 1950-1960 | 371 |
| 1960-1970 | 323 |
| 1970-1980 | 386 |
| 1980-1990 | 540 |
| 1990-2000 | 600 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,386 |
| 2010-2019 | 8,189 |
| 2020-2029 | 20,784 |
Famous people named Theo
- Theo Walcott: athlete, soccer player
- Theo Epstein: sports executive
Fun facts
- Although traditionally a nickname for Theodore or Theophilus, Theo has been registered as an independent given name in the U.S. since at least 1880.
- Over half of all U.S. births registered with the name Theo since 1880 have occurred in the 2020s alone.