Rising since 1994, #82 for boys today.
Popularity of Theo since 1880
Babies named Theo per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 128 | 93 |
| 1890s | 212 | 118 |
| 1900s | 296 | 226 |
| 1910s | 733 | 714 |
| 1920s | 865 | 980 |
| 1930s | 365 | 680 |
| 1940s | 326 | 440 |
| 1950s | 174 | 371 |
| 1960s | 67 | 323 |
| 1970s | 19 | 386 |
| 1980s | 0 | 540 |
| 1990s | 5 | 600 |
| 2000s | 5 | 1,386 |
| 2010s | 56 | 8,189 |
| 2020s | 252 | 20,784 |
Meaning & origin
Theo is the rare nickname that outgrew its parent. While Theodore mounted its own comeback, plain Theo has been rising in the United States since 1994 and reached its all-time peak in 2023; by 2025 it ranked 82nd, given to about one boy in 433. In much of Europe the standalone form arrived even earlier, Théo was a French favorite in the 1990s, so the American climb has the feel of a trend catching up rather than starting.
Its geography is distinctly urban and coastal: Hawaii, the District of Columbia, and Massachusetts lead the nation, the classic footprint of a style-forward name spreading outward from the cities. That matches its company, parents considering Theo are usually weighing it against Leo, Milo, and Arlo, the two-syllable, o-ending cohort that has defined recent boys' fashion.
The choice between Theo and Theodore is the real decision. Theodore offers the fallback of formality and the same warm nickname; bare Theo commits to informality, which is precisely its appeal, friendly, European-inflected, and carrying the quiet endorsement of Theo van Gogh, the steadfast brother behind one of art history's great stories.
Theo began as a nickname with two parent lines. Most often it clips Theodore, from Greek Theodōros, a compound of theos ("god") and dōron ("gift"), "gift of God", a name borne by early Christian saints. It has also historically shortened Germanic names built on theud ("people"), such as Theobald; Theo van Gogh, Vincent's art-dealer brother, carried it in the Dutch tradition. In the United States, Theo appears in the data from 1880 but spent most of the twentieth century as a rarity, familiar mainly through Theo Huxtable of The Cosby Show in the 1980s. Its rise as a standalone name dates from 1994 and accelerated sharply in the 2010s, in step with Theodore's own revival and the broader taste for warm, vintage boys' nicknames used in full.
Read more: Theo on Wikipedia
Where Theo 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.
“Theo” around the world
Where Theo lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#35
in 2024
Ireland
#21
in 2025
New Zealand
#10
in 2025
Quebec
#9
in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#32
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: T
Famous people named Theo
- Theo van Gogh · Dutch art dealer and brother of Vincent van Gogh
- Theo Epstein · American baseball executive who ended two championship droughts
- Theo James · English actor
Sibling names for Theo
Names that share Theo's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Margot, Ivy, Cleo, Alice, Willa, Ellie, Elodie, Emilia, Hazel, Sophie, Sylvie, Audra, Cora, Evie, Melody, Minnie, Nina, Nyla, Sienna, Stevie, Alba, Aleen, Alesia, Alize, Amelie, Caia, Calista, Capri, Charli, Coco, Daphne, Delia, Dessa, Effie, Elia, Elora, Elvia, Indigo, Ione, Iris, Kala, Larissa, Mari, Milani, Mimi, Monet, Navy, Noella, Nya, Ona, Palma, Phoebe, Poppy, Rhea, Roxie, Rue, Sabine, Selene, Sunny, Taya, Tehya, Thalia, Thea, Theda, Violette, Zelda, Zola, Zuri, Adhara, Aeris, Aira, Airam, Alix, Angelic, Arla, Arlee, Arlet, Arwen, Aylani, Bea, Calia, Calla, Charis, Cleone, Cosette, Dafne, Daphney, Dava, Dea, Eda, Enola, Esmae, Eudora, Ezri, Fairy, Gala, Genie, Gisella, Harvie, Haydee, Ilah, Indy, Ivie, Jovi, Jule, Kalaya, Leda, Leni, Leonie, Lera, Luci, Maizie, Maizy, Marlow, Mena, Mica, Minna, Mirabella, Naia, Nessa, Olympia, Riva, Romy, Sena, Sia, Tari, Tea, Teya, Theola, Tilly, Tisa, Tomi, Tula, Vayda, Verena, Vianney, Xenia, Zadie, Zenia, Zita, Adaya, Adda, Adelie, Adra, Aela, Alla, Allora, Allura, Aloura, Alura, Ama, Amela, Amorah, Amori, Anaelle, Analea, Anari, Andreya, Annia, Aphrodite, Arah, Arella, Arly, Arma, Aryia, Athina, Auri, Auria, Aurie, Ayiana, Azelia, Bellah, Blimy, Caira, Calina, Calysta, Chela, Cira, Clea, Cyd, Cyra, Dari, Darlin, Darling, Dela, Dema, Elecia, Elexa, Eleyna, Elika, Elita, Eliya, Elka, Eller, Emya, Erza, Esly, Esmee, Gari, Harlo, Helana, Helina, Iantha, Idy, Ilena, Ilia, Indi, Isidora, Izora, Jasia, Juna, Juni, Kalisa, Kalysta, Kama, Kamori, Karia, Khori, Kila, Kimya, Kiyara, Kleo, Koraline, Kyri, Leina, Lenyx, Leva, Liara, Lira, Lore, Loula, Lua, Lucetta, Lumi, Maela, Mahari, Maila, Maizee, Makaia, Mayda, Meeka, Meela, Mela, Meya, Mianna, Milaya, Milca, Milli, Mima, Mio, Nela, Neyla, Noemie, Novalie, Peaches, Posey, Renia, Rheya, Riah, Roizy, Rosaly, Saydie, Seena, Seline, Senia, Serra, Shevy, Signa, Silva, Simi, Starlett, Talea, Tava, Tedra, Teia, Tela, Thera, Tinia, Vianne, Villa, Willo, Winry, Xandra, Yeni, Yides, Ysabelle, Zaia, Zania, Zela, Zelia, Zenna, Zissy, Zo, Zurie, Adonia, Adrie, Aerianna, Aeriel, Aiana, Ailah, Airyana, Aivy, Alaja, Aleni, Aleria, Aliz, Allia, Alyla, Amali, Amarys, Amaura, Amika, Analissa, Anaria, Anija, Anira, Anorah, Areya, Arha, Arora, Arrayah, Astella, Atavia, Atina, Aury, Avanni, Ayanni, Ayriana, Azyla, Bali, Basha, Beya, Bijou, Blen, Bryony, Candia, Caro, Catia, Chania, Cielle, Coi, Cyana, Daleth, Daysy, Dehlia, Diani, Diora, Effa, Elaia, Eleia, Elira, Ellsie, Elorah, Elsi, Elyna, Emiya, Erial, Esti, Evea, Evora, Eyla, Ezme, Fleur, Gizel, Hiya, Ilea, Iley, Ionna, Iridessa, Irisa, Isel, Iysis, Jemia, Joury, Jozi, Kaior, Kaliope, Kalis, Kataleia, Kea, Kema, Keydi, Kharis, Kharma, Khya, Kinda, Kinya, Klea, Kyari, Lalla, Lenay, Libi, Lillah, Lilou, Lima, Lisia, Lorey, Luma, Lydie, Lynora, Madia, Maiyah, Marca, Mavie, Mayzie, Mazey, Meli, Melora, Miara, Mikya, Milia, Nara, Ndea, Neeva, Neli, Netha, Nikea, Noelie, Norie, Nylia, Nysa, Onna, Para, Poppi, Rahi, Ramia, Reyah, Rhya, Riko, Saia, Saraiya, Sarya, Sema, Seri, Shiya, Simya, Sonnet, Sonyia, Sua, Tamula, Telia, Tenia, Teola, Teona, Tessla, Thena, Thia, Tila, Tiye, Torah, Vala, Vayla, Verina, Vi, Vienne, Viera, Vivika, Wynnie, Xanthe, Yalani, Ysela, Zaela, Zala, Zareth, Zaydee, Zelina, Zoi, Allona, Annaelle, Azori, Emberlie, Everlea, Greydis, Icis, Kita, Laelle, Lakina, Lenya, Miela, Mielle, Naz, Remedi, Salaya, Silvie, Surie, Syenna, Adelei, Aelita, Agape, Ahriyah, Ainoah, Airess, Akacia, Alaira, Aleila, Aleli, Alila, Alinea, Allea, Almee, Amaly, Amei, Amoria, Anahla, Analei, Aniella, Annelies, Anye, Anyi, Anyra, Aquinnah, Araia, Araly, Arayla, Areta, Ariday, Arijana, Arraya, Arzoi, Arzoyi, Atalia, Athenea, Athyna, Atzi, Avayla, Avira, Avonni, Belky, Bellarae, Brietta, Caliope, Ceci, Cecia, Cozy, Cynia, Cyrene, Daisi, Daphyne, Darria, Datha, Deah, Deya, Dulcey, Elenie, Eleven, Elieth, Ellani, Ellaria, Elliona, Eloa, Emara, Emera, Emika, Enyla, Eretria, Erine, Eriyah, Eryss, Esmi, Esmie, Ezmay, Faline, Faya, Faydra, Fergie, Fifi, Freyah, Gem, Hailo, Hanni, Helem, Henya, Hydia, Indee, Irys, Isaly, Issis, Itzy, Izela, Jemya, Jolyne, Joyia, Kalaia, Kameo, Kassiani, Katria, Kemba, Kesa, Khodi, Kyrene, Laena, Laira, Lalena, Lalia, Lamara, Laria, Leily, Leyani, Lille, Lillyth, Loza, Lulabelle, Lun, Lunafreya, Lyly, Macaiah, Marinette, Marloe, Maty, Mayve, Mellina, Miski, Moet, Moorea, Naelle, Naika, Nare, Navee, Navira, Neesa, Neira, Nimsi, Niyomi, Nolynn, Novalea, Omani, Omeka, Omi, Orilla, Oriya, Pascha, Pippin, Posy, Reha, Remee, Remii, Reni, Reona, Rhena, Riata, Rikia, Rini, Roiza, Rola, Rosea, Sabel, Sanye, Saraia, Seela, Senya, Seoni, Serai, Shuna, Sibley, Simora, Sinia, Sophira, Stachia, Stela, Sundai, Suriah, Talah, Tallula, Taraya, Tata, Tecia, Tema, Thiana, Tija, Tilia, Tippi, Tura, Ulanni, Vali, Valree, Vaya, Veora, Vylette, Xenovia, Yahvi, Yasna, Yesha, Yianna, Zalea, Zanae, Zeldy, Zema, Zemora, Zeola, Zilah, Ziza, Zoa, Zoua, Zuzu, Zyelle
Brothers: Arlo, Milo, Felix, Hugo, Leo, Atlas, Luca, Luka, Archie, Charlie, Jude, Oscar, Bodie, Bruno, Cass, Desi, Freddy, Kairo, Kash, Kit, Kylo, Langston, Lemar, Linus, Lucian, Mac, Mathias, Myron, Nico, Rio, Sylas, Vince, Arion, Aris, Armon, Athan, Bastian, Bowie, Cleon, Darious, Dione, Elio, Eros, Ether, Finnick, Haydn, Huck, Jona, Kasper, Mathis, Micha, Mylo, Neo, Nikko, Niklaus, Ozzy, Rafe, Telly, Yerik, Zeno, Zeus, Amey, Anias, Arlow, Augie, Avenir, Bauer, Calem, Caspar, Creedence, Cylis, Daimon, Dashel, Edouard, Elim, Finneas, Germain, Isak, Ivo, Joss, Kailo, Kaio, Kairos, Kalon, Khi, Koe, Liev, Loukas, Lukah, Melo, Miloh, Newt, Nicco, Oslo, Oziah, Phi, Philo, Pier, Polo, Rael, Reco, Renne, Reo, Roen, Siah, Spiro, Sterlin, Sully, Symon, Talin, Theon, Yanis, Zacharie, Aeon, Anival, Ario, Ariz, Armias, Athens, Axiel, Behr, Brahm, Burech, Caillou, Cyris, Deo, Dio, Edahi, Eldin, Elya, Emmaus, Ezreal, Fin, Heitor, Jaki, Janari, Jazper, Joon, Kaius, Kaiyan, Kayo, Keo, Kiro, Kyriee, Leonides, Levii, Lio, Lyrick, Matteus, Meko, Nyko, Oaklan, Obi, Ramari, Rhen, Ringo, Romen, Romir, Silus, Sony, Syris, Truu, Vash, Vian, Yanni, Albi, Cas, Emrik, Jeriko, Aerion, Alby, Alian, Amais, Amnen, Anzel, Aragorn, Aro, Arrian, Artimus, Asser, Atlus, Auren, Axil, Ayvin, Bellemy, Bento, Bion, Demiri, Doren, Dover, Ejay, Ekko, Elysian, Endi, Euro, Felis, Gor, Ikal, Iniko, Inmer, Inri, Irah, Junah, Kado, Kaian, Kaido, Kaimir, Kalo, Karo, Kenay, Khoen, Kimon, Kire, Kito, Kyrus, Lelend, Leny, Loden, Louka, Lukka, Makbel, Maziyon, Mico, Midas, Miking, Moritz, Neer, Ness, Nicolis, Nikolis, Nio, Nylo, Oli, Olivander, Ondre, Onyxx, Oryon, Platon, Riel, Saban, Savalas, Silvan, Soryn, Suvan, Syire, Talis, Tiam, Wilkin, Xeng, Yeico, Yian, Zeph
Names like Theo
Names whose popularity has moved with Theo's over the last 50 years.
