Neo

Origin: Modern coinage — From the prefix neo-, meaning 'new'

Boy's name · #1066 in the US (2025) · 2020s wave

Popularity over time

Neo is near its high-water mark: it reached #949 in 2022 and still ranked #1066 in 2025. About 3,100 boys have carried it since 1990.

The Matrix introduced Keanu Reeves as Neo in 1999. US births of Neo rose from 24 that year to 116 in 2000.

Across the states

See where Neo is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 19 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Neo ranks in other countries and regions.

#144 in Sweden (2025) · #151 in Switzerland (2025) · #277 in Slovenia (2025) · #316 in New Zealand (2025) · #370 in Austria (2025) · #384 in Norway (2025) · #434 in Poland (2025) · #444 in France (2025) · #742 in England & Wales (2025) · #868 in Netherlands (2025) · #904 in Scotland (2025) · #947 in Belgium (2025) and 1 more.

Famous Neos

Neo Rauch — German painter (born 1960)
Neo Sora — American director (born 1991)
Neo Yau — Hong Kong actor
Neo Makama — Mosotho footballer
Neo Mothiba — South African basketball player (born 1982)

In stories & tradition

Neo — The Matrix (film)
Doctor Neo Cortex — Crash Bandicoot (video game series)

What Neos become

Among 69 notable people named Neo:

Entertainers appear 2.15× more often than among typical names — e.g. Neo Sora, American director (born 1991).

Similar names: Syncere · Nehemiah · Teo · Jahseh · Kace · Cru

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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