The nameTheo
Theo is a boy's name of Greek origin meaning "god", a short form of Theodore. It is in the top 20 in England and Wales.
- Boy's name
- Greek
- Feast day
Meaning
Theo comes from the Greek theos, "god". It is a short form of Theodore, "gift of God", Theophilus or Theobald.
Origin
Greek. Theo was first a pet name before becoming a name in its own right.
History
Theo van Gogh, brother and support of the painter Vincent, is a famous bearer. The name rose fast in the 2000s and 2010s in Britain, where it reached the top 10, and it was a top name in France as Théo.
Theo in other languages
Theo began as a short form of Theodore or Theophilus. It is Théo in French, Theo in German, Dutch and the Nordic countries, and Teo in Italian, Spanish and Croatian.
Did you know?
- Vincent van Gogh wrote more than six hundred letters to his brother Theo, who supported him all his life.
- Theo van Gogh died a few months after Vincent, and the two brothers lie side by side at Auvers-sur-Oise, in France.
Famous people named Theo
- Theo van Gogh, art dealer
- Theo Walcott, footballer
- Theo James, actor
- Theo Hernández, footballer
Popularity of the name Theo
Theo in the United States
Theo was most popular in the United States in the 2020s, with 17,045 births over the decade, 48% of all recorded babies named Theo. Its rise began around 2014, and it peaked in 2023. Half of all babies named Theo in the United States 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: 3,409 births a year on average, against 1,315 in the five years before.
Theo in the United Kingdom
Theo was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 22,432 births over the decade, 48% of all recorded babies named Theo. Its rise began around 2002, and it peaked in 2022. Half of all babies named Theo in the United Kingdom were born before 2017, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 2,882 births a year.
Theo in Ireland
Theo in France
Theo in Belgium
Theo in Switzerland
Theo in Austria
Theo in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Theo
Names from the same generation as Theo, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Theo? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Theo with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Theo side by side with the name of your choice.
Theo in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Theo mean?
Theo comes from the Greek theos, "god". It is a short form of Theodore, "gift of God", Theophilus or Theobald.
What is the origin of the name Theo?
Greek. Theo was first a pet name before becoming a name in its own right.
Is Theo a girl's or a boy's name?
Theo is a boy's name. In the United States, 10% of the babies named Theo are girls.
How popular is the name Theo?
In 2024, Theo was the 80th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 4,110 births.
What are the variants of the name Theo?
Variants and related names of Theo include Teo and Theodore.
What are good sibling names for Theo?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Millie, Margot, Ophelia and Alessia for a sister, Atlas, Luka, Thiago and Enzo for a brother.
Who are famous people named Theo?
Theo van Gogh, art dealer; Theo Walcott, footballer; Theo James, actor; Theo Hernández, footballer.