A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Cleo since 1880
Babies named Cleo per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Cleo's real moment was 1907.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 358 | 52 |
| 1890s | 1,153 | 166 |
| 1900s | 2,441 | 437 |
| 1910s | 7,368 | 2,348 |
| 1920s | 8,218 | 2,970 |
| 1930s | 4,183 | 1,876 |
| 1940s | 2,239 | 1,270 |
| 1950s | 1,321 | 875 |
| 1960s | 578 | 452 |
| 1970s | 331 | 331 |
| 1980s | 309 | 235 |
| 1990s | 471 | 170 |
| 2000s | 610 | 94 |
| 2010s | 1,380 | 135 |
| 2020s | 2,605 | 116 |
Meaning & origin
Cleo has been a steady presence in American naming since the 1880s, first recorded in 1880. It peaked in popularity in 1907 and has seen a revival since 1989, rising again in recent decades. As of 2025, it ranks 577th, with about 1 in 3,115 girls receiving the name. Its resurgence fits a broader trend of vintage short-form names. The name is particularly favored in states like Alaska, Montana, and Utah. Cleo offers a succinct, classical feel with ancient roots, appealing to parents seeking a name that is both historical and modern.
Cleo originates as a short form of Cleopatra, which derives from the Greek Kleopatra, combining kleos (glory) and patros (of the father). In ancient Egypt, Cleopatra was a dynastic name borne by several queens. The independent use of Cleo gained popularity in the late 19th century as a standalone given name.
Where Cleo is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Cleo” around the world
Where Cleo lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
360
babies in 2024
Ireland
15
babies in 2025
New Zealand
28
babies in 2025
Quebec
31
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Sibling names for Cleo
Names that share Cleo's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Mae, Ruby, Stella, Thea, Zara, Isis, Lanita, Sylvie, Zenia, Cyd, Joli, Neomia, Vila, Cleota, Kassia, Theona, Viera, Clevie, Clovia, Mliss
Brothers: Leo, Max, Oscar, Felix, Jasper, Cyrus, Theo, Cosmo, Delos, Osiris, Telly, Tyrus, Daimon, Levert, Orlo, Philo, Aristotle, Arius, Arwin, Django, Andros, Bion, Hux, Leroi, Midas, Neco, Ulus
