Theo

♂ Boy

Pronounced THEE-oh /ˈθiː.oʊ/High

Meaning: Gift of God; short form of Theodore or Theophilus from Greek theos (God) + doron (gift)High

In 30 seconds: A bright Greek short form of Theodore meaning 'gift of God.' Theo has emerged as a standalone name prized for its warm brevity and quietly profound meaning.

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Origin HighGreek

MeaningGift of God; short form of Theodore or Theophilus from Greek theos (God) + doron (gift)

Peak year2017

Total births (all-time)≈ 11,452

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Theo is a short form of Theodore (from Greek theos, god, and doron, gift) or other Theo- names like Theophilus. It has been used as a nickname for centuries and is now widely given as a standalone name.

Theo rose sharply in the U.S. in the 2010s as parents embraced short, friendly names with classical depth. It now ranks in the U.S. top 100 boys' names.

Did you know? Vincent van Gogh's beloved brother and supporter was named Theo — Theodorus van Gogh (1857–1891) — and the two exchanged hundreds of now-famous letters.

Variations

TheodoreTheodorosTheron

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Theo van Gogh (1857–1891)
Dutch art dealer and devoted supporter of his brother Vincent van Gogh.

If you like Theo…

Leo— short, bright classical name with the same two-syllable warmth

Milo— friendly vintage two-syllable name with the same effortless cool

Arlo— modern short name with the same easy, sunny character

Frequently Asked

What does the name Theo mean?

Theo is a short form of Theodore and similar names, from the Greek theos (God) and doron (gift), meaning 'gift of God.'

How do you pronounce Theo?

It is said THEE-oh /ˈθiː.oʊ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Theo a boy or girl name?

Theo is predominantly a boy's name, though it occasionally appears for girls.

How popular is Theo?

Theo has been climbing rapidly in the U.S. and now ranks among the top 100 boys' names.