William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
Neo
BoyGreek· “new”
- Meaning
- new
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- NEE-oh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,066
- US babies 2025
- 204
- Best rank
- #949 (2022)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Neo
Neo is a Greek name that means “new”.
Short and striking, Neo comes from the Greek neos, meaning new, a root found in countless English words from neon to neoclassical. As a given name it gained wide recognition through Neo, the hero of the film The Matrix, which lent it a sleek, futuristic image. Separately, Neo is a familiar Setswana name in Botswana and South Africa, where it is usually translated as gift. Its brevity makes it easy to pair with longer surnames, and its meaning fits the idea of a fresh beginning. It sits comfortably among other short, vowel-ending names such as Leo, Theo and Milo.
Popularity over time
Neo first appears in US Social Security records in 1990. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 4 different years, starting in 2021. Its best national rank was #949 in 2022, the same year it reached its highest count of 240 babies. In 2025, 204 babies were named Neo, and it ranked #1,066 nationally. That is 152% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,185 in 2000, #2,165 in 2010, and #1,066 in 2025. Of the 3,117 US boys named Neo since records began, 42% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 896 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Imran, Yaakov, Elon, Granger, and Osman.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Neo ranked highest in Florida, California, and Oklahoma.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | #720 | 22 |
| California | #728 | 37 |
| Oklahoma | #772 | 5 |
| Utah | #778 | 5 |
| Maryland | #780 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Neo is usually pronounced NEE-oh, with two syllables. It has three letters, starts with N and ends in “-eo”.
Middle names for Neo
A few middle names that flow with Neo: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Neo
Similar names
Theo Boy
THEE-oh
“short for Theodore, gift of God” · Greek
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LEE-oh
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Zephyr Boy
ZEF-ur
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Linus Boy
LY-nus
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Bastian Boy
BAS-chuhn
“short form of Sebastian” · German
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Mattias Boy
muh-TY-uhs
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Kaleo Boy
kah-LAY-oh
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Eros Boy
EHR-ahs
“love; Greek god of love” · Greek
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Lists that include Neo
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Neo mean?
Neo is a Greek name that means “new”.
What is the origin of the name Neo?
Neo has Greek roots. Short and striking, Neo comes from the Greek neos, meaning new, a root found in countless English words from neon to neoclassical.
Is Neo a popular name?
Not especially. Neo ranked #1,066 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Neo a boy or girl name?
Neo is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Neo?
Neo is usually pronounced NEE-oh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings