The name Theo is of Greek origin and means "gift of God". It is a shortened form of the Greek name Theodore, which was popular among early Christian martyrs and saints. The name has been used throughout history by many notable figures, including the philosopher Theodor Adorno and the artist Theo van Gogh.
In literature, Theo has appeared as a character in several works, such as "Theo and the Fairy" by Robert Sabuda and "Thea and the Secret of the Lost Meadow" by Emily Hughes. It is also the name of the protagonist in the video game "Life is Strange: Before the Storm".
Today, Theo is used as both a boy's and girl's name, but it is still more commonly given to boys. It has seen an increase in popularity in recent years, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States and Australia.
Overall, Theo is a strong and distinctive name with a rich history that dates back centuries. Its meaning, "gift of God", makes it a fitting choice for parents looking for a name with spiritual significance.
The name Theo has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. According to the data provided, there were only 9 births with the name Theo in 1880. However, by 2023, this number had grown to an impressive 4122 births.
The early years of the 20th century saw a steady increase in the popularity of the name Theo. The first significant peak occurred in 1912 with 50 births, followed by another peak in 1916 with 96 births. However, it was not until the late 1970s and early 1980s that the name Theo began to gain widespread popularity.
In 1985, there were 76 births with the name Theo, marking a significant increase from previous years. This trend continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with the number of Theo births reaching triple digits in the early 2000s.
The year 2004 marked another turning point for the name Theo, with 133 births recorded. Since then, the popularity of the name has continued to rise exponentially. In just over a decade, from 2017 to 2023, the number of Theo births nearly quadrupled, from 1553 in 2017 to 4122 in 2023.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate that the name Theo has become increasingly popular in the United States over time. Its popularity has shown consistent growth since the mid-20th century, with a particularly significant increase in recent years.