Neo
How to say it: NEE-oh · /ˈnioʊ/
From Greek 'neos' meaning 'new'; widely recognized from the Matrix character; also a Setswana name meaning 'gift'.
Neo was the 963rd most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 204 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up 2.4-fold in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #771 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #963 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 204 |
| Share of births | 1 in 16,251 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | ×2.4 |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #771 |
| In France, 2025 | #381 among boys’ names, 125 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Emerging only in the last forty years, Neo found its high in the 2020s. Still at its peak, it should move higher.
What goes with it
Tiny and open in two soft sounds, Neo feels creative and strong. Onyx and Phoenix share its edge.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Neo is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Danish, English, Finnish, French, Greek, Norwegian, Swedish.
In France: #381 for boys in 2025.
Famous people named Neo
- Neo Rauch (born 1960)German painter, photojournalist, and university teacher
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Good to know
- Neo, protagonist of The Matrix franchise played by Keanu Reeves
Keep exploring
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