The nameCleo
Cleo is a short, bright girl's name, best known as the short form of Cleopatra. It is popular in England and Wales.
- Girl's name
- Greek
Meaning
Cleo comes from the Greek kleos, "glory, fame". Cleopatra means "glory of the father".
Origin
Greek.
History
Cleo reached its best rank, 114th, in England and Wales in 2025. In the United States it was most used in the early 20th century.
Famous people named Cleo
- Cleo Laine, jazz singer
- Cléo de Mérode, dancer
Popularity of the name Cleo
Cleo in the United States
Cleo was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 11,188 births over the decade, 25% of all recorded babies named Cleo. Its rise began around 1893, and it peaked in 1920. Half of all babies named Cleo in the United States were born before 1926, so it is mostly a great-grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 437 births a year on average, against 200 in the five years before.
Cleo in the United Kingdom
Cleo was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 2,339 births over the decade, 46% of all recorded babies named Cleo. Half of all babies named Cleo in the United Kingdom were born before 2019, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 408 births a year on average, against 284 in the five years before.
Cleo in France
Cleo in Belgium
Sibling names for Cleo
Names from the same generation as Cleo, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Cleo? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Cleo with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Cleo side by side with the name of your choice.
Cleo in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cleo mean?
Cleo comes from the Greek kleos, "glory, fame". Cleopatra means "glory of the father".
What is the origin of the name Cleo?
Greek.
Is Cleo a girl's or a boy's name?
Cleo is a girl's name. In the United States, 74% of the babies named Cleo are girls.
How popular is the name Cleo?
In 2024, Cleo was the 605th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 495 births.
What are good sibling names for Cleo?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Alessia, Gaia, Nellie and Inaya for a sister, Teo, Alessio, Louie and Emir for a brother.
Who are famous people named Cleo?
Cleo Laine, jazz singer; Cléo de Mérode, dancer.