Spero

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Spero

Pronounced SPEER-oh /ˈspɪr.oʊ/Low

Meaning: Spero is best known as an anglicized short form of Spyridon, a Greek name of much-loved saintly heritage, and it also carries the Latin word spero, 'I hope.' Among Greek-American families it usually stands for Spyridon, while its hopeful Latin echo gives it a warm second meaning.Low

In 30 seconds: Spero is a rare Greek boy's name, short for Spyridon, also echoing Latin spero, 'I hope.' It is said SPEER-oh.

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Origin LowGreek, Latin

MeaningSpero is best known as an anglicized short form of Spyridon, a Greek name of much-loved saintly heritage, and it also carries the Latin word spero, 'I hope.' Among Greek-American families it usually stands for Spyridon, while its hopeful Latin echo gives it a warm second meaning.

U.S. rank (1971)#4844 ↘ Falling

1971 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1932

Total births (all-time)≈ 316

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

Spero comes to English chiefly as a short form of the Greek Spyridon, honoring Saint Spyridon of Cyprus, and it doubles as the Latin spero, 'I hope.' That pairing lets the name carry both a strong Greek heritage and an uplifting word-meaning, a favorite among Greek-American families.

It was never common in the United States, given to only around fifteen boys a year even at its peak in the early nineteen-thirties, largely within Greek-heritage families. A boy named Spero then would be a great-grandfather today.

Did you know? For many Greek-American families, Spero is simply the everyday form of Spyridon, the name of a beloved fourth-century saint.

Overall data confidence 35%

References - Spero — Anglicized short form of Spyridon; Latin spero 'I hope'; Greek-heritage name.

Variations

SpiroSpyrosSperos

Nicknames

SpirSpero

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Spero…

Spiro— a like short form of Spyridon

Spyridon— the full Greek parent name

Cosmo— a comparable Greek masculine name

Aristotle— another classic Greek boy's name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Spero mean?

It is a Greek name, an anglicized short form of Spyridon, also tied to the Latin spero, meaning 'I hope.'

How do you pronounce Spero?

It is said SPEER-oh /ˈspɪr.oʊ/, two syllables with the stress on the first.

Is Spero a boy or girl name?

Spero is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Spero?

Spero was always rare in the United States, given to only about fifteen boys a year even at its peak in the early nineteen-thirties.