Find out how popular the first name Theo has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Theo by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Theo is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Theo being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 4,122 male babies and 42 female babies born with the name Theo.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 42 baby girls were named Theo in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Theo

Theo is a masculine given name with Greek origins, derived from the word "Theos" meaning "God." It has been a popular name throughout history, particularly in Christian cultures influenced by Greek and Latin traditions.

The name Theo can be traced back to ancient Greece, where it was used as a shortened form of names like Theodore, meaning "gift of God." It was also sometimes used as a standalone name, reflecting the reverence for gods in Greek mythology.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Theo can be found in the New Testament of the Bible, where it is mentioned as the name of a Christian disciple from Ephesus. This early association with Christianity likely contributed to its widespread adoption throughout Europe.

During the Byzantine era, the name Theo gained popularity among the ruling classes and aristocracy of the Eastern Roman Empire. Several Byzantine emperors, such as Theophilos (813-842 AD) and Theophanu (960-976 AD), bore variations of the name, reflecting its prestigious status.

In the Middle Ages, the name Theo maintained its popularity across Europe, particularly in areas influenced by the Greek Orthodox Church, such as Russia and the Balkans. Notable individuals with this name include Theo the Samaritan, a 9th-century scholar and translator, and Theo de Smyrna, a 13th-century Greek astronomer and mathematician.

During the Renaissance period, the name Theo was embraced by humanist scholars and intellectuals who drew inspiration from classical Greek and Roman culture. One of the most famous individuals with this name was the Dutch philosopher and theologian Theo van Doesburgh (1533-1609), a prominent figure in the Reformation movement.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the name Theo gained traction in various European countries, including Germany, where it was popularized by the philosopher and writer Theo von Schön (1789-1856), and France, where the writer and politician Theo Fabre d'Olivet (1767-1825) made his mark.

Other notable individuals with the name Theo throughout history include the German composer Theo Richter (1824-1898), the Dutch painter Theo van Rysselberghe (1862-1926), and the Greek poet Theo Angelopoulos (1935-2012).

Overall, the name Theo has a rich history rooted in ancient Greek culture and Christianity, and it has been carried through the centuries by influential figures in various fields, ranging from religion and philosophy to art and literature.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Theo was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Theo, please contact us.

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