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Name Lineage

    The first name Theo

    A boy’s name from Greek.

    Pronounced /ˈθioʊ/ 2 syllables Male

    Meaning and origin

    Greek origin

    Short form of Theodore, or of the rare given names Theobald, Theophilus or Theodoric, or of Theodora.

    Theo is a short form of

    .

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 2,398 boys were named Theo, making it the 12th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2022, with 2,808 births (#9).

    01,5003,000 1996200020052010201520202025
    43,001
    babies named Theo, 1996–2025
    #12
    rank in 2025
    2022
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Theo with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Theo at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 3,945 boys born in the United States were named Theo, the 82nd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2023, when 4,140 were.

    02,5005,000 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    GirlsBoys
    39,333
    babies named Theo since 1880
    #82
    rank in 2025
    2023
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Famous people named Theo

    80 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Theo Walcott
      English association football player (born 1989)
    • Theo van Doesburg
      Dutch architect, painter, draughtsman and writer (1883–1931)
    • Théo Hernandez
      French footballer (born 1997)
    • Theo Jörgensmann
      German musician, 1948–2025
    • Théo van Rysselberghe
      Belgian painter (1862-1926)
    • Theo Bongonda
      DR Congolese footballer, born 1995
    • Theo-Ben Gurirab
      Former Namibian politician (1938–2018)
    • Theo Albrecht
      German entrepreneur (1922-2010)
    • Theo Bos
      Dutch road cyclist and track cyclist, born 1983
    • Theo Lingen
      Actor, film director, screenwriter (1903–1978)
    • Theo de Jong
      Dutch footballer and manager, born 1947
    • Théo Pourchaire
      French racing driver, born 2003

    More Greek boys’ names

    All 347 names of Greek origin

    Questions

    What does the name Theo mean?
    Short form of Theodore, or of the rare given names Theobald, Theophilus or Theodoric, or of Theodora.
    What is the origin of the name Theo?
    Short form of Theodore, or of the rare given names Theobald, Theophilus or Theodoric, or of Theodora.
    How popular is the name Theo?
    In 2025, 2,398 boys born in England and Wales were named Theo, ranking 12th. Its peak was 2022, with 2,808 births.
    Is Theo a boy's or a girl's name?
    Both. Of the 39,333 US babies named Theo since 1880, 9% were girls and 91% boys.
    When was Theo most popular?
    2023 in the United States, when 4,140 babies were named Theo, its highest rank at 78th.
    How do you pronounce Theo?
    Theo is /ˈθioʊ/, 2 syllables.