Cleo

♂ Boy

Pronounced KLEE-oh /ˈkli.oʊ/Medium

Meaning: From Greek kleos, 'glory, fame; to celebrate, praise' — a short form of Cleon/Cleophas; here for boysMedium

In 30 seconds: Glory and fame: Cleo is Greek 'glory, fame' — crisp, vintage, and warm. A short, bright name (used for both sexes).

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Origin MediumGreek

MeaningFrom Greek kleos, 'glory, fame; to celebrate, praise' — a short form of Cleon/Cleophas; here for boys

U.S. rank (2025)#5245 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births18 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1918

Total births (all-time)≈ 11,526

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Cleo, as a boys' name, comes from Greek kleos, 'glory, fame; to celebrate, praise' — a short form of Cleon or Cleophas. A crisp, vintage, bright name, used for both sexes, here for boys.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, glory at the root, and bright.

Did you know? Cleo comes from Greek kleos, 'glory, fame' (the root of Cleon, Cleophas, and Cleopatra) — a crisp, vintage name, used for both sexes.

Overall data confidence 72%

Behind the Name — Cleo — root etymology

Variations

CleonCleophasClio

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Cleo…

Leo— a companion short classic

Milo— another bright short name

Cedar— lands in the same popularity range

Cypress— a similarly popular pick

Linus— shares Cleo's Greek roots

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cleo mean?

Cleo is Greek for 'glory, fame; to celebrate'.

How do you pronounce Cleo?

It's said KLEE-oh /ˈkli.oʊ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Cleo a boy or girl name?

Cleo is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Cleo?

Cleo is a rare name for boys in the U.S.