Theo

Theo meaning

Theo is an international and Christian boy's name of Greek origin.

Short form of Theodore and similar names; Greek theos, "god"

Also used to mean: gift of god

Theo began as a short form of Theodore and is now used on its own. Its root is Greek theos, which Liddell, Scott and Jones give simply as 'god' or 'the deity', the same word seen in theology. Theodore joins it with dōron, 'gift', so baby-name lists give Theo as 'gift of God'. A few names that look similar, such as Theobald, actually begin with a different Germanic word, theud, 'people'. Well-known bearers include Theo van Gogh, the art dealer whose letters and support sustained his brother Vincent. Theo is said THEE-oh and pairs easily with Indian surnames.

Source: Liddell, Scott & Jones, A Greek–English Lexicon (9th ed., 1940), via Logeion · entry θεός · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026

References: LSJ, θεός (via Logeion) · Wikipedia, Theo van Gogh (art dealer)

Famous namesakes

• Theo van Gogh, Dutch art dealer and brother of Vincent
• Theo Walcott, English footballer

Popularity abroad

• #82 United States, boys 2025 (down 2 from 80 in 2024)
  US Social Security Administration
• #12 England and Wales, boys 2025
  Office for National Statistics

Official birth registrations. India publishes no national name statistics.

Related names

Also meaning god

More names of Greek origin

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