Rising since 1985, #301 for boys today.
Popularity of Romeo since 1880
Babies named Romeo per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 8 |
| 1890s | 66 |
| 1900s | 137 |
| 1910s | 800 |
| 1920s | 996 |
| 1930s | 630 |
| 1940s | 475 |
| 1950s | 450 |
| 1960s | 502 |
| 1970s | 604 |
| 1980s | 746 |
| 1990s | 1,501 |
| 2000s | 4,475 |
| 2010s | 9,229 |
| 2020s | 6,245 |
Meaning & origin
Romeo has been in continuous use in U.S. birth records since 1880, but its trajectory is one of recent resurgence. After a long period of low use, the name began climbing steadily in 1985, and its rank of 301 in 2025 marks a modern high. The name's peak year so far is 2024, suggesting no slowdown in its appeal. Geographically, Romeo sees notable favor in New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Nevada. Though firmly associated with Shakespeare's tragic hero, many modern parents are drawn to it for its romantic sound and Italian flair.
Romeo is derived from the Late Latin 'Romaeus', meaning a pilgrim to Rome. In medieval Italy, it was used as a nickname for those who had made the pilgrimage. The name was popularized globally by Shakespeare's 1597 tragedy 'Romeo and Juliet', cementing its association with youthful romance.
Where Romeo is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Romeo” around the world
Where Romeo lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#88
in 2024
Ireland
8
babies in 2025
New Zealand
11
babies in 2025
Quebec
#56
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ro, Rom, Meo
Variants: Romea, Romeu
Sibling names for Romeo
Names that share Romeo's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Romeo
Names whose popularity has moved with Romeo's over the last 50 years.
