Cameo

Meaning & origin

Cameo is a rare unisex name that emerged in the mid-20th century as a word name. Its first recorded U.S. use was in 1957, and it never achieved widespread popularity. The name reached its peak in 1992 and has been falling in use since 1993. As a word name, Cameo shares the gemstone and theater associations of similar names, but it remains an uncommon choice. Its trajectory shows a slow decline, with no top state concentrations. Parents drawn to Cameo often appreciate its brevity and artistic flair, but its rarity means it stands out as a distinctive choice.

Cameo first appeared as a given name in the mid-20th century, most likely drawn from the common English noun 'cameo', which refers either to a carved gemstone or a brief appearance in a film or play. The word itself entered English from Italian 'cameo', of uncertain ultimate origin. Its use as a personal name reflects a 20th-century fashion for adopting word names, and it has never been common. The name is attested from the late 1950s, with a small peak in the early 1990s.