Holding steady.
Popularity of Chao since 1971
Babies named Chao per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0 | 86 |
| 1980s | 25 | 141 |
| 1990s | 11 | 46 |
| 2000s | 0 | 6 |
| 2010s | 0 | 5 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Chao is an uncommon given name in the United States, first recorded in 1971. It saw its peak usage in 1985, but has never entered the top 1000 and remains rare. The name may have Chinese origins, where it can mean 'tide' or 'dynasty', or Italian roots as a nickname for Giacomo. In modern usage, it is sometimes chosen for its resemblance to the Italian word 'ciao', giving it a friendly, international feel. Despite its low frequency, Chao maintains a steady but tiny presence, with a stable trajectory over the decades. No top states are associated with the name, reflecting its scattered and infrequent use.
Chao has multiple possible origins. In Chinese, it can be a surname (赵, meaning 'dynasty' or 'zhao') or a given name character (潮, meaning 'tide'). In Italian, it is a shortened form of names like Giacomo, used as a nickname. As a given name in the English-speaking world, it may also be a modern coinage derived from the Italian greeting 'ciao', used as a fashionable name since the 1970s.
Sibling names for Chao
Names that share Chao's style, for a brother or sister.
