Neo
Neo: name meaning, origin and popularity
Meaning and origin of Neo
Root meaning: “new”
- A unisex given name originating as a coinage.
Etymology
Recent coinage from the prefix neo- (“new”). Popularized by a character in the science-fiction film The Matrix (1999), where it is explained as an anagram of "(the) One".
How popular is Neo?
Since 1880, 6 girls and 3,117 boys in the U.S. have been named Neo (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #14762 in 2021. Its highest rank for boys was #949 in 2022. In 2025, 204 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Sibling name ideas for Neo
Names that peaked around the same time as Neo and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Neo FAQ
What does the name Neo mean?
Neo traces back to a root meaning "new". A unisex given name originating as a coinage. Recent coinage from the prefix neo- (“new”). Popularized by a character in the science-fiction film The Matrix (1999), where it is explained as an anagram of "(the) One".
How popular is the name Neo?
Since 1880, 6 girls and 3,117 boys in the U.S. have been named Neo (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #14762 in 2021. Its highest rank for boys was #949 in 2022. In 2025, 204 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Neo a boy or girl name?
Neo is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 6 girls and 3,117 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.