Alteo
A masculine name derived from the Latin altus, meaning "high" or "tall".
Name Census estimates that about 12 living Americans carry the first name Alteo. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Alteo today is around 3 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Alteo births was 2022 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Alteo. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
For a British comparison, Name Census UK has a UK baby-name profile for Alteo with official rankings and popularity over time.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Alteo. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
12
~ 1 in 28,562,862 Americans
Peak year
2022
6 babies that year
Average age
3
years old
2024 SSA rank
#10,973
Tracked since 2022
Popularity
Alteo: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Alteo by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Alteo during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 12 | 0 | 12 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Alteo
The name Alteo has its origins in the ancient Germanic languages, specifically within the Gothic branch. It is believed to have emerged around the 3rd or 4th century AD, during the time when the Gothic tribes were expanding their influence across parts of Europe.
The root of the name Alteo can be traced back to the Gothic word "alths," which means "old" or "ancient." This suggests that the name may have been initially bestowed upon individuals who were considered venerable or wise beyond their years. In some interpretations, it is also thought to be connected to the Gothic word "althjan," meaning "to grow old" or "to mature."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Alteo can be found in the fragmentary remains of the Gothic Bible translation, known as the Codex Argenteus, which dates back to the 6th century AD. This ancient manuscript, written in the Gothic language, contains portions of the four Gospels and is considered a significant historical and linguistic artifact.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Alteo continued to be used sporadically among various Germanic tribes and peoples. However, it was not until the late 12th century that a notable figure bearing this name emerged. Alteo of Brittany (c. 1170 - 1238) was a renowned Breton knight and military leader who participated in the Fourth Crusade and the siege of Constantinople.
Another historical figure with the name Alteo was Alteo of Siena (c. 1280 - 1345), an Italian painter and illuminator who worked in the Gothic style. His contributions to manuscript illumination in the 14th century are celebrated for their intricate details and vibrant colors.
In the 15th century, Alteo Falconieri (c. 1420 - 1492) was an Italian humanist scholar and diplomat from Florence. He served as an ambassador for the Medici family and was highly regarded for his knowledge of classical literature and philosophy.
Moving into the 16th century, Alteo Badoer (c. 1510 - 1572) was a Venetian merchant and explorer who traveled extensively throughout the Mediterranean region and the Middle East. His detailed accounts of his journeys provided valuable insights into the trade networks and cultural exchanges of the time.
Lastly, Alteo Gritti (c. 1570 - 1638) was a Venetian nobleman and military commander who played a significant role in the Cretan War against the Ottoman Empire. His strategic leadership and bravery during the prolonged conflict earned him recognition and respect among his contemporaries.
People
Alteo + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Alteo as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with A
Other first names starting with A with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Alteo: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Alteo?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 12 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Alteo going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 28,562,862 US residents.
Is Alteo a common name?
We classify Alteo as "Very Rare". It ranks above 32.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 12 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Alteo most popular?
The single biggest year for Alteo was 2022, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Alteo is about 3 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Alteo in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Alteo a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Alteo in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Alteo still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Alteo in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Alteo can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have Alteo as a first name?
For a quick modern take, check how many people have the name Alteo on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org.