Rising since 2003, #2,798 for boys today.
Popularity of Romelo since 1994
Babies named Romelo per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 178 |
| 2000s | 214 |
| 2010s | 457 |
| 2020s | 278 |
Meaning & origin
Romelo is a modern American invention that first appeared on the baby name charts in 1994. Since then it has followed a steadily rising trajectory, growing from obscurity to a peak rank of 2,798 in 2021 and a 2025 rank of 2,798, with approximately 1 in every 37,957 boys receiving the name. The name's strong -o ending fits a pattern of stylish, romantic-sounding names favored in states like Florida, New York, and California, where it appears most frequently. While lacking a long historical pedigree, Romelo appeals to parents seeking a distinctive yet approachable name with a melodic quality.
Romelo is a 20th-century coinage, first recorded in U.S. births in 1994. It likely blends the romantic name Romeo (from Italian, meaning "pilgrim to Rome") with the popular -o ending that also appears in names like Dangelo and Armando. Alternative theories suggest a connection to the city of Rome or a variant of Romulus, but there is no historical evidence for those derivations. The name remains rare outside the United States.
Where Romelo is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ro, Melo, Romy
Sibling names for Romelo
Names that share Romelo's style, for a brother or sister.
