Rising since 1997, #1,064 for boys today.
Popularity of Neo since 1990
Babies named Neo per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 29 |
| 2000s | 879 |
| 2010s | 896 |
| 2020s | 1,313 |
Meaning & origin
Neo entered the U.S. naming landscape in 1990, but its trajectory has been steadily upward since 1997, coinciding with the release of 'The Matrix' in 1999. The name peaked in 2022, and as of 2025, it ranked 1,064th with a frequency of 1 in 8,373 births. While tied to modern sci-fi culture, its roots extend to the Greek prefix for 'new' and the Tswana word for 'gift'. Top states for Neo include Oklahoma, Maryland, and Utah, reflecting a broad geographic appeal. The name's rise reflects a trend toward short, punchy, and meaningful names, making it a distinctive choice that continues to gain traction.
Neo is a modern coinage derived from the Greek prefix 'neo-', meaning 'new'. Alternatively, it may be a short form of names like Nehemiah or a variant of the Tswana name Neo meaning 'gift'. The name gained popularity after the 1999 film 'The Matrix' featured a protagonist named Neo, though it has steadily risen in use since 1997.
Where Neo is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Neo” around the world
Where Neo lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
100
babies in 2024
New Zealand
15
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Sibling names for Neo
Names that share Neo's style, for a brother or sister.
