Fun Facts About the Name Teo
- More than 2 thousand babies named Teo: U.S. records list 2,986 babies given the name Teo from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Teo Mean?
Teo is a masculine given name most often used as a short form of names that come from the Greek Theodoros, meaning "gift of God." The Greek name joins theos ("god") with doron ("gift"). Through Latin Theodorus, this name became Teodoro in Spanish and Italian, Teodor in Croatian and Scandinavian languages, and Théodore in French; Teo is the familiar shortened form in several of these languages. In Spanish, Teo can also shorten Mateo (Matthew), a name from Hebrew meaning "gift of Yahweh," but that is a separate derivation from a different name. The name is not a distinct root with its own meaning apart from the fuller name it shortens.
Teo Name History & Origins
The ultimate source of Teo is the ancient Greek name Theodoros, formed from theos ("god") and doron ("gift"). Early Christian saints bore the name, including Theodore of Amasea, a soldier martyred around 306, and Theodore the Studite, a monk and abbot who lived from 759 to 826. As the name spread with Christianity, it entered Latin as Theodorus and then took local forms across Europe: Teodoro in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian; Teodor in Croatian, Czech, Polish, and Scandinavian languages; Théodore in French; and Theodore in English. The short form Teo developed independently in several of these languages as a diminutive, dropping the second part of the compound. In Spanish-speaking countries, Italy, Croatia, and elsewhere, Teo is now also given as a name in its own right. In English, the spelling Theo is the usual short form of Theodore; Teo is also used, often reflecting Spanish or Italian influence. A modern literary example is the character Teo in the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, but this use is recent and does not account for the name's earlier history.
How Popular is the Name Teo?
Teo recorded its highest annual U.S. birth count in 2024. Its best rank was #759 in 2024.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #794 | 318 | 0.0186% |
| 2024 | #759 | 335 | 0.0195% |
| 2023 | #855 | 282 | 0.0165% |
| 2022 | #939 | 244 | 0.0140% |
| 2021 | #1,145 | 176 | 0.0101% |
| 2020 | #1,370 | 129 | 0.0075% |
| 2019 | #1,335 | 137 | 0.0076% |
| 2018 | #1,359 | 131 | 0.0072% |
| 2017 | #1,603 | 101 | 0.0055% |
| 2016 | #1,597 | 103 | 0.0054% |
| 2015 | #1,752 | 88 | 0.0046% |
| 2014 | #1,779 | 85 | 0.0044% |
| 2013 | #2,089 | 65 | 0.0034% |
| 2012 | #2,090 | 66 | 0.0035% |
| 2011 | #2,053 | 66 | 0.0035% |
| 2010 | #2,140 | 63 | 0.0033% |
| 2009 | #2,030 | 69 | 0.0035% |
| 2008 | #2,122 | 65 | 0.0032% |
| 2007 | #2,209 | 61 | 0.0029% |
| 2006 | #2,509 | 49 | 0.0024% |
| 2005 | #2,696 | 41 | 0.0021% |
| 2004 | #3,280 | 30 | 0.0015% |
| 2003 | #2,987 | 33 | 0.0017% |
| 2002 | #4,027 | 21 | 0.0011% |
| 2001 | #3,829 | 22 | 0.0011% |
| 2000 | #5,015 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 1999 | #5,005 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 1998 | #8,368 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1997 | #5,609 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1996 | #4,587 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 1995 | #5,875 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1994 | #6,913 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1993 | #5,728 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1992 | #6,632 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1991 | #9,482 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1990 | #8,025 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1989 | #7,812 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1988 | #5,168 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1986 | #5,875 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1984 | #4,515 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1983 | #3,604 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1982 | #6,316 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1981 | #4,121 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1980 | #7,201 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1979 | #5,972 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1977 | #5,070 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1976 | #3,982 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 1975 | #4,748 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1968 | #4,681 | 5 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Teo Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You like to control everyone within your influence, to shape things to your own liking. If positive, you develop high spirituality, as you have a God's protection. You are sensitive, affectionate, imaginative and cooperative, spiritually aware and prone to self-sacrifice. You can keep secrets and are a good diplomat. You may have healing and psychic powers. You have an eventful, exciting life. You are versatile and have the ability to learn easily.
Dependable, very down-to-earth and well grounded, you are always looking for meaningful work, a career where you can take pride in your work and do the best job you are capable of. Your prime desire is to build protected and secure environment at home and at work. You can be very persuasive in achieving goals and gaining objectives. You can be very detailed and well-organized and possess great organizational skills. At times you may appear too stubborn and overly critical to others, but your practical approach to life and productivity makes you one of the most beneficent members of community.
✦ Teo's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Teo's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.