gender neutral
Theo
divine gift, gift of God
About Theo
Sophisticated simplicity defines Theo, a name that achieves remarkable impact through elegant economy. This four-letter gem has enjoyed a resurgence among discerning parents who appreciate its vintage charm updated for contemporary tastes. Theo strikes an enviable balance between familiar and distinctive, avoiding both obscurity and overuse. The name's soft consonants and open vowel create a warm, approachable sound that suits a friendly, open-hearted child. Its brevity makes it wonderfully practical while never feeling incomplete or diminutive. Theo transitions effortlessly across all life stages, equally fitting for a curious toddler, an ambitious teenager, and a accomplished adult. The name carries intellectual and artistic associations without feeling pretentious, suggesting someone thoughtful and creative. Its European flair adds a touch of cosmopolitan sophistication while remaining entirely accessible in English-speaking contexts. Theo pairs beautifully with longer, more formal middle names or stands confidently alone. Parents drawn to Theo typically value classic style with modern sensibility, appreciating names that feel both timeless and current. For a son destined to be both grounded and imaginative, Theo offers ideal nomenclature.
Popularity of the Name Theo
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | United Kingdom | New Zealand | Ireland | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #680 | ||||
| 1881 | #697 | ||||
| 1882 | #573 | ||||
| 1883 | #493 | ||||
| 1884 | #838 | ||||
| 1885 | #759 | ||||
| 1886 | #751 | ||||
| 1887 | #627 | ||||
| 1888 | #749 | ||||
| 1889 | #782 | ||||
| 1890 | #599 | ||||
| 1891 | #589 | ||||
| 1892 | #788 | ||||
| 1893 | #646 | ||||
| 1894 | #623 | ||||
| 1895 | #577 | ||||
| 1896 | #670 | ||||
| 1897 | #675 | ||||
| 1898 | #537 | ||||
| 1899 | #709 | ||||
| 1900 | #694 | ||||
| 1901 | #464 | ||||
| 1902 | #425 | ||||
| 1903 | #523 | ||||
| 1904 | #407 | ||||
| 1905 | #475 | ||||
| 1906 | #585 | ||||
| 1907 | #436 | ||||
| 1908 | #412 | ||||
| 1909 | #572 | ||||
| 1910 | #472 | ||||
| 1911 | #546 | ||||
| 1912 | #572 | ||||
| 1913 | #551 | ||||
| 1914 | #554 | ||||
| 1915 | #604 | ||||
| 1916 | #596 | ||||
| 1917 | #631 | ||||
| 1918 | #665 | ||||
| 1919 | #637 | ||||
| 1920 | #645 | ||||
| 1921 | #615 | ||||
| 1922 | #619 | ||||
| 1923 | #670 | ||||
| 1924 | #656 | ||||
| 1925 | #644 | ||||
| 1926 | #618 | ||||
| 1927 | #596 | ||||
| 1928 | #657 | ||||
| 1929 | #728 | ||||
| 1930 | #653 | ||||
| 1931 | #649 | ||||
| 1932 | #719 | ||||
| 1933 | #781 | ||||
| 1934 | #852 | ||||
| 1935 | #729 | ||||
| 1936 | #697 | ||||
| 1938 | #769 | ||||
| 1939 | #762 | ||||
| 1943 | #854 | ||||
| 1944 | #988 | ||||
| 1945 | #941 | ||||
| 2010 | #918 | #54 | #148 | #210 | #109 |
| 2011 | #863 | #53 | #154 | #197 | #87 |
| 2012 | #790 | #47 | #103 | #178 | #94 |
| 2013 | #663 | #42 | #102 | #156 | #86 |
| 2014 | #509 | #38 | #97 | #124 | #89 |
| 2015 | #406 | #35 | #68 | #118 | #63 |
| 2016 | #354 | #30 | #62 | #109 | #58 |
| 2017 | #290 | #22 | #49 | #73 | #52 |
| 2018 | #243 | #20 | #47 | #62 | #42 |
| 2019 | #195 | #16 | #44 | #48 | #33 |
| 2020 | #172 | #15 | #35 | #34 | #30 |
| 2021 | #142 | #15 | #43 | #24 | #23 |
| 2022 | #98 | #7 | #23 | #20 | #17 |
| 2023 | #78 | #9 | #19 | #15 | #17 |
| 2024 | #80 | #12 | #8 | #14 | #17 |
| 2025 | #82 | #12 | #10 | #21 | #15 |
| 1997 | #251 | #243 | #334 | #817 | |
| 1998 | #249 | #257 | #596 | ||
| 1999 | #224 | #375 | #468 | ||
| 2000 | #170 | #218 | #388 | #420 | |
| 2001 | #147 | #314 | #315 | #414 | |
| 2002 | #146 | #174 | #347 | #357 | |
| 2003 | #138 | #180 | #288 | #352 | |
| 2004 | #125 | #193 | #319 | #309 | |
| 2005 | #130 | #263 | #341 | #269 | |
| 2006 | #97 | #157 | #281 | #244 | |
| 2007 | #80 | #157 | #224 | #212 | |
| 2008 | #61 | #132 | #229 | #166 | |
| 2009 | #58 | #136 | #195 | #154 | |
| 1989 | #329 | ||||
| 1991 | #359 | ||||
| 1992 | #261 | #990 | |||
| 1993 | #365 | ||||
| 1994 | #283 | ||||
| 1995 | #387 | #900 | |||
| 1988 | #371 | ||||
| 1996 | #332 | #707 |
Top names by country: United States · United Kingdom · New Zealand · Ireland · Canada
Variations of Name Theo
Names Similar to Theo
Nicknames for Theo
- Ted
- Teddy
- TJ
- Thee
Famous People Named Theo
| Theo James | British actor |
| Theo Epstein | American baseball executive |
| Theo Walcott | English professional footballer |
| Theo Hutchcraft | English singer-songwriter |
| Theo Rossi | American actor |
| Theo Fleury | Canadian former professional ice hockey player |
| Theo Hernández | French professional footballer |
| Theo van Gogh | Dutch art dealer and brother of Vincent van Gogh |
| Theo Ratliff | American former professional basketball player |
| Theo Angelopoulos | Greek filmmaker |
| Theo Adams | British artist and performer |
| Theo Bos | Dutch professional road and track cyclist |
| Theo Jansen | Dutch artist and kinetic sculptor |
| Theo Parrish | American DJ and record producer |
| Theo Lingen | German actor and film director |
| Theo de Raadt | Canadian software engineer and founder of OpenBSD |
| Theo Albrecht | German entrepreneur and co-founder of Aldi |
| Theo Riddick | American football player |
| Theo Germaine | American actor |
| Theo E. J. Wilson | American spoken word artist and activist |
Characters Named Theo
| Theo Huxtable | "The Cosby Show" TV series |
| Theo Faron | "Children of Men" - novel and film |
| Theo Galloway | "American Horror Story" TV series |
| Theo Hinton | "The Maze Runner" series |
| Theo Tonin | "Justified" TV series |
| Theo Gold | "Resident Evil 2" - video game |
| Theo Carver | "Days of Our Lives" TV series |
| Theo Decker | "The Goldfinch" - novel and film |
| Theo Raeken | "Teen Wolf" TV series |
| Theo Galavan | "Gotham" TV series |
| Theo Kojak | "Kojak" TV series |
| Theo Nott | "Harry Potter" series |
| Theo Graham | "The Haunting of Bly Manor" TV series |
| Theo Crain | "The Haunting of Hill House" TV series |