Theo is a distinctive choice, ranked #5892 in 2024. Your child is likely to be the only Theo in their class.
Origin & Meaning
Greek — Gift of God
💎
UK Rank 2024
#5892
US Rank #80
About the Name Theo
Theo has seen a notable decline in recent years, dropping 5875 places in five years. It was most popular in 2022 at #9 — parents choosing it today are making a deliberately counter-trend decision. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996. It has featured in the UK top 100 for 16 years, demonstrating solid mainstream recognition.
The name carries Greek roots, where it means "Gift of God". Names with strong etymological stories tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles.
Theo is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it ranks even higher at #80, where it enjoys a particularly strong following.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Theo
Unlikely. With around 3 UK babies named Theo per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Theo in his class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Theo has been declining in UK popularity, dropping 5875 places in the last five years. Its peak was #9 in 2022. Choosing it now means he is likely to be among the last of his generation with this name.
The name Theo has Greek origins and means "Gift of God". Names with clear etymological roots tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles and give children a story to tell about their name.
Notable people named Theo include: Theo Walcott — Theo James Walcott is an English former professional footballer who played as a winger and a striker.; Theo Parrish — Theo Parrish is an American DJ and record producer based in Detroit, Michigan, and known for his genre-spanning DJ sets and unconventional house productions.; Theo Baker — Theo Baker is an American student journalist at The Stanford Daily, the student-run, independent newspaper of Stanford University..
Theo ranks #80 in the US (2024), making it comfortably inside the American top 100. It's well-liked on both sides of the Atlantic.
3
UK babies named Theo (2024)
< 1
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
< 1
In a school of 600
↓ 5875 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Theo
Likely around 1 other Theo in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Theo
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Theo James Walcott is an English former professional footballer who played as a winger and a striker. He represented England at the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2012 and won 47 caps, scoring eight goals.
Theo Parrish is an American DJ and record producer based in Detroit, Michigan, and known for his genre-spanning DJ sets and unconventional house productions. He is an owner of the Sound Signature record label, and a member of the group 3 Chairs.
Theo Baker is an American student journalist at The Stanford Daily, the student-run, independent newspaper of Stanford University. In 2023, he became the youngest recipient of the George Polk Award for his reporting that led to the resignation of Stanford president Marc Tessier-Lavigne.
Theo Fabergé was a grandson of Peter Carl Fabergé. His father Nicholas Fabergé, Carl's youngest son, arrived in London in 1906 to help run the only branch of the House of Fabergé outside Russia, on Dover Street in London.
Alister Theodore Fennell is an English jewellery and silverware designer. He is nicknamed the "King of Bling" due to his flamboyant designs for celebrity clients.
Theodor Capitani von Kurnatowski III, known professionally as Theo Von, is an American stand-up comedian and podcaster. He hosts the This Past Weekend podcast.
Theodorus van Gogh was a Dutch art dealer and a younger brother of Vincent van Gogh. His support of his older brother's artistic ambitions and well-being allowed Vincent to devote himself entirely to painting.