Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Romeo
BoyItalian· “pilgrim to Rome”
- Meaning
- pilgrim to Rome
- Origin
- Italian
- Pronunciation
- ROH-mee-oh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #302
- US babies 2025
- 1,129
- Best rank
- #283 (2024)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Romeo
Romeo is an Italian name that means “pilgrim to Rome”.
Romeo is an Italian name that originally described a pilgrim traveling to Rome. It is known everywhere through Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the tragedy of two young lovers from feuding families in Verona, which made Romeo shorthand for a romantic suitor. That strong association kept the name rare in English for centuries, but it has recently become a fashionable choice for boys, especially in Britain and the United States. In Italy it has always been a normal given name. Romeo feels romantic, bold and playful, and Rome and Ro can serve as nicknames.
Popularity over time
Romeo has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 87 different years. Its best national rank was #283 in 2024, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,191 babies. In 2025, 1,129 babies were named Romeo, and it ranked #302 nationally. That is 32% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #622 in 1920, #1,019 in 1950, #1,065 in 1980, #606 in 2000, #358 in 2010, and #302 in 2025. Of the 26,864 US boys named Romeo since records began, 34% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 6,245 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Jensen, Benson, Ares, Kohen, and Otto.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Romeo ranked highest in New Mexico, California, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | #145 | 14 |
| California | #178 | 225 |
| Texas | #199 | 196 |
| Nevada | #199 | 16 |
| Arizona | #212 | 40 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Romeo is usually pronounced ROH-mee-oh, with three syllables. It has five letters, starts with R and ends in “-eo”.
Middle names for Romeo
A few middle names that flow with Romeo: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Romeo
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Lists that include Romeo
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Romeo mean?
Romeo is an Italian name that means “pilgrim to Rome”.
What is the origin of the name Romeo?
Romeo has Italian roots. Romeo is an Italian name that originally described a pilgrim traveling to Rome.
Is Romeo a popular name?
Yes. Romeo ranked #302 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Romeo a boy or girl name?
Romeo is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Romeo?
Romeo is usually pronounced ROH-mee-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