Theo
Meaning of Theo
Theo began as a short form of Theodore, which derives from the Greek name Theodoros, formed from theos, meaning "god," and doron, meaning "gift" — so the name is usually translated as "gift of God." Name dictionaries agree on this origin. For centuries Theo served as the everyday form of Theodore in English-speaking countries; more recently it has been given steadily as a name in its own right. It is pronounced THEE-oh, with the unvoiced th of "think," the same in American and British English.
Among well-known bearers are the baseball executive Theo Epstein, celebrated in Boston and Chicago for building championship teams, and the English actor Theo James of the Divergent films. In the art world, the Dutch painter, writer and architect Theo van Doesburg founded and led the De Stijl movement in the early twentieth century.
In the United States, Theo has risen sharply over the past generation. In 2010 it was given to 221 boys and ranked 914th; by 2023 it had reached 78th, its highest position so far. It has stayed close to that level since, ranking 82nd in 2025 with 3,945 boys.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as THEE-o (/ˈθi.oʊ/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Similar Names to Theo
Notable People Named Theo
| Theo Walcott is an English former winger and striker who represented England at the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2012, earning 47 caps and eight goals, and now serves as an Arsenal club ambassador and Sky Sports contributor. |
| Dutch film director Theo van Gogh made the short film Submission about the treatment of women in Islam, was murdered in 2004, and had his final film about Pim Fortuyns assassination released posthumously. |
| Theo Nathaniel Epstein is an American baseball executive who since 2024 has been a senior adviser and part owner of Fenway Sports Group, owner of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC. |
| Theo van Doesburg was a Dutch painter, writer, poet, and architect who founded and led De Stijl and married three times. |
| Theodore Peter James Kinnaird Taptiklis, known as Theo James, is an English actor and producer best known for The Divergent Series and for roles in the Underworld films, Archive, and The Monkey where he plays twin brothers. |
| Theo Janssen is a Dutch former midfielder and Vitesse assistant coach who won the Eredivisie with Twente, played for Vitesse, Ajax, and Genk, and was Dutch Footballer of the Year in 2011. |
| Theo Adams is a performance artist and director of the contemporary theatrical group Theo Adams Company. |
| Theo Dan - Theodor Dan is an English professional rugby union hooker for Saracens and England. |
| Theo Peckham is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman now with the Saugeen Shores Winterhawks and half brother of Hockey Hall of Famer Angela James. |
| Theo Fennell - British jewellery and silverware designer Alister Theodore Fennell, known as the King of Bling for flamboyant celebrity pieces, founded his eponymous brand in 1982, returned to lead it in 2009, and regained control in 2021. |
| Theo Maassen is a Dutch comedian and actor from Zijtaart in North Brabant who lives in Eindhoven and has appeared in several films. |
| Theo Parrish is a Detroit based American DJ and record producer known for genre spanning sets and unconventional house, owner of the Sound Signature label and a member of 3 Chairs. |
