Neo
Meaning of Neo
Neo emerges from the Greek prefix for “new,” a concise signal of fresh starts, while a parallel root in Setswana lends it the warmer meaning of “gift.” Both strands align neatly with contemporary parents’ appetite for optimism in just three letters. In Anglo-American culture the name is almost inseparable from the leather-clad hero of The Matrix, an association that shifted Neo from obscurity—fewer than ten U.S. births in 1990—to a steady mid-700s ranking and roughly 230 boys in 2024. The film’s enduring cult status gives the name a sleek, tech-savvy sheen, yet its classical origin keeps it from feeling ephemeral. Neo also echoes the familiar comfort of “Leo” while sidestepping its popularity, offering a modern alternative without sounding contrived. Compact, international, and quietly self-assured, Neo suits parents who prefer their child’s introduction to feel like a clean reboot rather than a nostalgic reboot.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as NEE-oh (/niːoʊ/)
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