Io

♀ Girl

Pronounced EE-oh /ˈi.o/Medium

Meaning: From the Greek Io, of uncertain meaning (variously linked to 'the moon' or to a cry of grief); a priestess of Hera loved by Zeus and turned into a heifer; routes uncertain; we note the mythLow

In 30 seconds: A priestess loved by Zeus: Io is a Greek nymph of myth. Crisp, classic, and warm (said 'EE-oh'). We note the myth.

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Origin LowGreek

MeaningFrom the Greek Io, of uncertain meaning (variously linked to 'the moon' or to a cry of grief); a priestess of Hera loved by Zeus and turned into a heifer; routes uncertain; we note the myth

U.S. rank (2023)#9867 ↘ Falling

2023 U.S. births10 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 185

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

Io comes from the Greek Io, of uncertain meaning (variously linked to 'the moon' or to a cry of grief); a priestess of Hera loved by Zeus and turned into a heifer (routes uncertain, which we note the myth). A crisp, classic name (said 'EE-oh').

In the U.S. it appears very rarely as a mythology name (also a moon of Jupiter). Rare, a-priestess-loved-by-Zeus at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Io is a Greek name of uncertain meaning (linked to 'the moon') — a priestess of Hera loved by Zeus and turned into a heifer, who wandered the earth — a crisp, storied name (the routes are uncertain, which we note the myth; said 'EE-oh').

Overall data confidence 42%

References — Io — Greek mythology; routes uncertain

Variations

Ione

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Io…

Danae— a fellow love of Zeus

Leda— a companion love of Zeus

Maia— a sound-adjacent Greek nymph

Isis— another Greek name

Irene— the same mythology feel

Explore names like Io

By themeuncertain greek mythology

By meaningLove Moon

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Io mean?

Io is a Greek name of uncertain meaning (linked to 'the moon'); a priestess of Hera loved by Zeus. The routes are uncertain. We note the myth.

How do you pronounce Io?

It's said EE-oh /ˈi.o/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Io a boy or girl name?

Io is a girl's name.

How popular is Io?

Io is a very rare name in the U.S.