Theo Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Theo Name Meaning

Fact: The name Theo has Greek origins, derived from the word “Theos,” meaning God.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Theo Overview

Meaning

God’s gift

Gender

Boy, Gender-neutral

Origin

Greek

Etymology

Derived from the Greek name “Theodore,” meaning “gift of God.”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈθioʊ/

Popularity

Theo is a name that has gained popularity in many countries, especially in Europe and English-speaking regions. Recently, Theo has steadily risen in popularity in the USA, ranking within the top 200 names for boys.

Syllable

1 syllable

Length

4 letters

Numerology

3 (Expressive, Social, Artistic)

Name Styles

Short, Cool, Religious and Spiritual

Associated Traits

Intelligent, charismatic, kind, creative

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Theo is often used as a diminutive of Theodore, a name with significant historical and religious figures, including several saints.

Name Day

January 7th
A Deep Dive

Theo Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Theodore, Theodor, Teo, Théo, Théodore, Thaddeus, Téo, Ted, Teddy, Teodor

Common Nicknames

Theo, Teodor, Teddy, Te, Teddie

Diminutives

Ted, Tedi, Teo, Téo, T

Famous People

  • Theo James
    (English Actor)
  • Theo Walcott
    (English Footballer)
  • Theo Jansen
    (Dutch Artist)
  • Theo van Gogh
    (Dutch Filmmaker)
  • Theo Epstein
    (American Baseball Executive)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Theo Galavan
    ("Gotham," TV Series)
  • "Theo"
    (Album by Theo Katzman)
  • Theo Raeken
    ("Teen Wolf," TV Series)
  • Theo Huxtable
    ("The Cosby Show," TV Series)
  • Theo Faron
    ("Children of Men," Film)
  • Theo Crain
    ("The Haunting of Hill House," TV Series)

What Is the Meaning of Theo?

Theo means “gift of God.” This name often conveys a personality that is thoughtful and generous, embodying a sense of wisdom and kindness.

What Is the Origin of The Name Theo?

Theo has Greek origins. It is derived from the Greek name Theodoros.The name has been used in various forms throughout history and is often a short form of Theodore or Theodora.

Theo Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Theo in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#1422021#992022#782023
Top 3 Rankings#782023#992022#1422021

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Theo

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
202378
(+21 from 2022)
4122
(+493 from 2022)
0.22510
202299
(+43 from 2021)
3629
(+927 from 2021)
0.19376
2021142
(+30 from 2020)
2702
(+477 from 2020)
0.14421
2020172
(+23 from 2019)
2225
(+208 from 2019)
0.12029
2019195
(+48 from 2018)
2017
(+464 from 2018)
0.10496
2018243
(+47 from 2017)
1553
(+323 from 2017)
0.07990
2017290
(+64 from 2016)
1230
(+278 from 2016)
0.06215
2016354
(+50 from 2015)
952
(+187 from 2015)
0.04700
2015404
(+105 from 2014)
765
(+215 from 2014)
0.03742
2014509
(+155 from 2013)
550
(+187 from 2013)
0.02684
2013664
(+126 from 2012)
363
(+76 from 2012)
0.01796
2012790
(+72 from 2011)
287
(+42 from 2011)
0.01414
2011862
(+51 from 2010)
245
(+24 from 2010)
0.01206
2010913
(+119 from 2009)
221
(+34 from 2009)
0.01076
20091032
(-13 from 2008)
187
(-1 from 2008)
0.00882
20081019
(-8 from 2007)
188
(-3 from 2007)
0.00862
20071011
(+104 from 2006)
191
(+35 from 2006)
0.00862
20061115
(+35 from 2005)
156
(+17 from 2005)
0.00712
20051150
(+22 from 2004)
139
(+6 from 2004)
0.00653
20041172
(+118 from 2003)
133
(+24 from 2003)
0.00629
20031290
(+56 from 2002)
109
(+11 from 2002)
0.00519
20021346
(+114 from 2001)
98
(+14 from 2001)
0.00474
20011460
(-179 from 2000)
84
(-17 from 2000)
0.00406
20001281
(+208 from 1999)
101
(+25 from 1999)
0.00484
19991489
(+153 from 1998)
76
(+13 from 1998)
0.00373
19981642
(-14 from 1997)
63
(+1 from 1997)
0.00311
19971628
(+112 from 1996)
62
(+9 from 1996)
0.00310
19961740
(-117 from 1995)
53
(-3 from 1995)
0.00265
19951623
(+41 from 1994)
56
(+2 from 1994)
0.00278
19941664
(+57 from 1993)
54
(+4 from 1993)
0.00265
19931721
(-211 from 1992)
50
(-9 from 1992)
0.00242
19921510
(-58 from 1991)
59
(-2 from 1991)
0.00281
19911452
(-82 from 1990)
61
(-5 from 1990)
0.00288
19901370
(-151 from 1989)
66
(-11 from 1989)
0.00307
19891219
(-75 from 1988)
77
No change from 1988
0.00367
19881144
(-38 from 1987)
77
(+2 from 1987)
0.00385
19871106
(-104 from 1986)
75
(-10 from 1986)
0.00385
19861002
(+55 from 1985)
85
(+9 from 1985)
0.00442
19851057
(+1175 from 1984)
76
(+53 from 1984)
0.00395
19842232
(-277 from 1983)
23
(-4 from 1983)
0.00123
19831955
(-222 from 1982)
27
(-6 from 1982)
0.00145
19821733
(+78 from 1981)
33
(+2 from 1981)
0.00175
19811811
(-193 from 1980)
31
(-5 from 1980)
0.00166
19801618
(-84 from 1979)
36
(-2 from 1979)
0.00194
19791534
(-182 from 1978)
38
(-8 from 1978)
0.00212
19781352
(-107 from 1977)
46
(-5 from 1977)
0.00269
19771245
(-134 from 1976)
51
(-7 from 1976)
0.00298
19761111
(+4 from 1975)
58
(+1 from 1975)
0.00355
19751115
(+430 from 1974)
57
(+25 from 1974)
0.00351
19741545
(+151 from 1973)
32
(+5 from 1973)
0.00196
19731696
(+25 from 1972)
27
(+1 from 1972)
0.00167
19721721
(+141 from 1971)
26
(+3 from 1971)
0.00155
19711862
(-246 from 1970)
23
(-5 from 1970)
0.00127
19701616
(-124 from 1969)
28
(-1 from 1969)
0.00147
19691492
(+121 from 1968)
29
(+5 from 1968)
0.00159
19681613
(-201 from 1967)
24
(-5 from 1967)
0.00135
19671412
(+201 from 1966)
29
(+6 from 1966)
0.00163
19661613
(-470 from 1965)
23
(-20 from 1965)
0.00127
19651143
(+92 from 1964)
43
(+4 from 1964)
0.00227
19641235
(+140 from 1963)
39
(+7 from 1963)
0.00192
19631375
(+172 from 1962)
32
(+6 from 1962)
0.00155
19621547
(-199 from 1961)
26
(-9 from 1961)
0.00124
19611348
(-138 from 1960)
35
(-7 from 1960)
0.00162
19601210
(+112 from 1959)
42
(+7 from 1959)
0.00194
19591322
(-45 from 1958)
35
(-1 from 1958)
0.00162
19581277
(+1 from 1957)
36
(-1 from 1957)
0.00167
19571278
(-60 from 1956)
37
(-2 from 1956)
0.00169
19561218
(+95 from 1955)
39
(+6 from 1955)
0.00182
19551313
(+69 from 1954)
33
(+3 from 1954)
0.00158
19541382
(-78 from 1953)
30
(-3 from 1953)
0.00145
19531304
(-152 from 1952)
33
(-8 from 1952)
0.00165
19521152
(-99 from 1951)
41
(-5 from 1951)
0.00208
19511053
(+52 from 1950)
46
(+5 from 1950)
0.00241
19501105
(+80 from 1949)
41
(+5 from 1949)
0.00225
19491185
(-162 from 1948)
36
(-11 from 1948)
0.00200
19481023
(+136 from 1947)
47
(+8 from 1947)
0.00264
19471159
(-114 from 1946)
39
(-4 from 1946)
0.00210
19461045
(-118 from 1945)
43
(-5 from 1945)
0.00261
1945927
(+47 from 1944)
48
(+4 from 1944)
0.00350
1944974
(-128 from 1943)
44
(-17 from 1943)
0.00317
1943846
(+145 from 1942)
61
(+16 from 1942)
0.00419
1942991
(+49 from 1941)
45
(+6 from 1941)
0.00320
19411040
(+8 from 1940)
39
(+1 from 1940)
0.00311
19401048
(-294 from 1939)
38
(-26 from 1939)
0.00320
1939754
(+10 from 1938)
64
No change from 1938
0.00565
1938764
(+236 from 1937)
64
(+24 from 1937)
0.00563
19371000
(-310 from 1936)
40
(-33 from 1936)
0.00366
1936690
(+35 from 1935)
73
(+2 from 1935)
0.00686
1935725
(+120 from 1934)
71
(+16 from 1934)
0.00664
1934845
(-70 from 1933)
55
(-7 from 1933)
0.00518
1933775
(-67 from 1932)
62
(-14 from 1932)
0.00608
1932708
(-66 from 1931)
76
(-9 from 1931)
0.00707
1931642
(+3 from 1930)
85
(-5 from 1930)
0.00795
1930645
(+76 from 1929)
90
(+15 from 1929)
0.00797
1929721
(-69 from 1928)
75
(-17 from 1928)
0.00677
1928652
(-60 from 1927)
92
(-17 from 1927)
0.00806
1927592
(+22 from 1926)
109
(+5 from 1926)
0.00938
1926614
(+27 from 1925)
104
(+6 from 1925)
0.00908
1925641
(+12 from 1924)
98
(+1 from 1924)
0.00851
1924653
(+15 from 1923)
97
(+5 from 1923)
0.00830
1923668
(-51 from 1922)
92
(-17 from 1922)
0.00813
1922617
(-6 from 1921)
109
(+2 from 1921)
0.00969
1921611
(+29 from 1920)
107
(+10 from 1920)
0.00940
1920640
(-7 from 1919)
97
(+5 from 1919)
0.00881
1919633
(+31 from 1918)
92
(+5 from 1918)
0.00906
1918664
(-35 from 1917)
87
(-2 from 1917)
0.00830
1917629
(-36 from 1916)
89
(-7 from 1916)
0.00928
1916593
(+8 from 1915)
96
(+5 from 1915)
0.01040
1915601
(-55 from 1914)
91
(+10 from 1914)
0.01033
1914546
(+4 from 1913)
81
(+19 from 1913)
0.01185
1913550
(+18 from 1912)
62
(+12 from 1912)
0.01156
1912568
(-35 from 1911)
50
(+19 from 1911)
0.01108
1911533
(-72 from 1910)
31
(-4 from 1910)
0.01284
1910461
(+97 from 1909)
35
(+13 from 1909)
0.01679
1909558
(-155 from 1908)
22
(-12 from 1908)
0.01244
1908403
(+26 from 1907)
34
(+5 from 1907)
0.02044
1907429
(+139 from 1906)
29
(+12 from 1906)
0.01829
1906568
(-105 from 1905)
17
(-6 from 1905)
0.01180
1905463
(-62 from 1904)
23
(-4 from 1904)
0.01606
1904401
(+104 from 1903)
27
(+9 from 1903)
0.01949
1903505
(-90 from 1902)
18
(-6 from 1902)
0.01392
1902415
(+38 from 1901)
24
(+6 from 1901)
0.01808
1901453
(+227 from 1900)
18
(+4 from 1900)
0.01557
1900680
(-19 from 1899)
14
(+4 from 1899)
0.00864
1899661
(-138 from 1898)
10
(-6 from 1898)
0.00868
1898523
(+129 from 1897)
16
(+5 from 1897)
0.01211
1897652
(-11 from 1896)
11
(-1 from 1896)
0.00902
1896641
(-85 from 1895)
12
(-2 from 1895)
0.00930
1895556
(+38 from 1894)
14
(+2 from 1894)
0.01105
1894594
(+21 from 1893)
12
(+1 from 1893)
0.00961
1893615
(+133 from 1892)
11
(+2 from 1892)
0.00909
1892748
(-184 from 1891)
9
(-2 from 1891)
0.00685
1891564
(+2 from 1890)
11
(-1 from 1890)
0.01007
1890566
(+156 from 1889)
12
(+4 from 1889)
0.01003
1889722
(-18 from 1888)
8
(-1 from 1888)
0.00672
1888704
(-121 from 1887)
9
(-1 from 1887)
0.00693
1887583
(+111 from 1886)
10
(+2 from 1886)
0.00915
1886694
(+6 from 1885)
8
No change from 1885
0.00672
1885700
(+64 from 1884)
8
(+1 from 1884)
0.00690
1884764
(-285 from 1883)
7
(-7 from 1883)
0.00570
1883479
(+61 from 1882)
14
(+2 from 1882)
0.01245
1882540
(+113 from 1881)
12
(+4 from 1881)
0.00983
1881653
(-13 from 1880)
8
(-1 from 1880)
0.00739
1880640
First SSA data recorded
9
First SSA data recorded
0.00760

American States Popularity Rankings for Theo

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#1462021#1092022#842023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#1222021#812022#662023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#2422021#1692022#1332023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#1902021#982022#812023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#982021#882022#562023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#512021#462022#352023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#1182021#802022#662023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#1332021#1012022#692023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#882021#672022#452023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#1282021#712022#722023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#2162021#1562022#1592023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#942021#832022#692023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#792021#662022#622023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#1412021#1132022#782023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#1482021#1442022#1362023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#1232021#722022#582023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#1052021#682022#492023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#912021#532022#582023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#1602021#1322022#962023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#1572021#972022#782023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#962021#652022#472023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#942021#722022#422023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#1692021#1452022#1062023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#4382021#2032022#2372023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#2672021#1532022#1262023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#2872021#1832022#1782023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#1652021#1382022#1262023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#3492021#1562022#1322023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#1142021#652022#582023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#1682021#1232022#1242023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#2652021#1782022#1172023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#1862021#1302022#1412023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#1632021#752022#992023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#1722021#492022#422023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#1592021#1072022#842023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#952021#692022#792023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#4122021#3342022#2252023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1462021#882022#422023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#792021#572022#332023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#972021#792022#552023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#612021#402022#482023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#912021#702022#762023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1242021#242022#472023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#752021#612022#372023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#1902021#1412022#822023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2052021#1422022#802023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#952021#1442022#882023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1812021#1052022#1712023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1792021#1322022#1132023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1182019#562022#482023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#882020#642022#772023

Popularity Rankings for Theo in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#62021#42022#92023

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#112021#62022#62023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#142021#92022#82023

Popularity in Denmark

Denmark flagDenmark#162021#132022#17First half of 2023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#202020#192021#142022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#162019#172020#152021

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#172022#7112022#172023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#242021#212022#172023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#422021#232022#192023

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#202023

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#282020#262021#202022

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#432021#342022#232023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#382021#272022#302023

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#692021#402022#442023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#482020#542021#492022

Popularity in Uruguay

Uruguay flagUruguay#592020#972021#832023

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#882013#692014#692015

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1152020#802021#832022

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1222012#1802014#1762015

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1872019#1442020#1492021

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#3032022#1492023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#2272021#2252022#1832023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Theo a Name for Boys or Girls?

Theo started as a boy’s name, derived from names like Theodore. In recent times, it’s also embraced as a unisex name due to its short and strong nature.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Theo

Theo in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Theo James (Actor, born 1984): An English actor known for his roles in "Divergent" series and "Sanditon."
  • Theo Walcott (Footballer, born 1989): An English professional footballer who has played for Arsenal and the England national team.
  • Theo Jansen (Artist, born 1948): A Dutch artist known for his kinetic sculptures called "Strandbeests."
  • Theo van Gogh (Filmmaker, 1957–2004): A Dutch film director and producer known for his provocative works.
  • Theo Epstein (Baseball Executive, born 1973): An American baseball executive known for leading the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs to World Series championships.
  • Theo Galavan ("Gotham," 2014 TV Series): A wealthy businessman with a secret agenda to take over Gotham City.
  • "Theo" (2017 Album by Theo Katzman): A collection of songs by the singer-songwriter and member of the band Vulfpeck.
  • Theo Raeken ("Teen Wolf," 2011 TV Series): A chimera who manipulates and deceives others for his own gain.
  • Theo Huxtable ("The Cosby Show," 1984 TV Series): The only son of the Huxtable family, known for his struggles and growth throughout the series.
  • Theo Faron ("Children of Men," 2006 Film): A former activist who is tasked with protecting the world's only pregnant woman in a dystopian future.
  • Theo Crain ("The Haunting of Hill House," 2018 TV Series): A child psychologist with a traumatic past who can sense emotions through touch.
  • Theo ("Theo's Adventure," 2015 Children's Book): A young boy who goes on various magical adventures in this popular book series.
  • Theo James ("Divergent," 2014 Film Series): An actor known for his role as Tobias "Four" Eaton in the dystopian film series.
  • Theo Rossi ("Sons of Anarchy," 2008 TV Series): An actor who plays Juice Ortiz, a member of the motorcycle club SAMCRO.
  • Theo Decker ("The Goldfinch," 2013 Novel by Donna Tartt): A young boy whose life is changed after surviving a terrorist attack at an art museum.
  • None

Similar Names to Theo

Sibling Names for Theo