Origin, Meaning, And History Of Cleo
Cleo is a modern name with ancient Greek and English origins. The term implies glory, fame, rumor, praise, or credit. The root of this name is the ancient Greek verb ‘kleó,’ which means ‘to make famous’ or ‘to celebrate.’ In ancient Greece, Cleo was not a given name. Instead, it was a significant element of various names. These included Kleoboulos, Kleodamos, Kleoboula, Kleodikos, and Kleodoxa.
The most well-known title of which Cleo was a part is Kleopatra, whose Latinized version is Cleopatra. Cleopatra was one of the most influential women in history. The name Kleopatra is made of ‘kleos’ meaning ‘glory and fame,’ and ‘patros,’ which implies ‘father, parent, and fatherland.’ In Greek mythology, two figures with the name stand out. The first was the daughter of mountain nymph Orithyia, and the second was the god of the North Wind, Boreas. The name Cleo is also the short form of Cleon and Cleopas.
As a used given name, Cleo became popular as a nickname for Cleopatra in contemporary times. It comes in several variations cutting across cultures. For example, in Albanian, it is Klea. The ancient Greek versions include Cleon, Cleopatra, Kleon, Kleopatra, and Kleopatros. In Biblical Greek, the term is Kleopas, while in Biblical Latin, it is Cleopas. The French variants of the name include Cléopâtre, Cléa, and Cléo.
In popular culture, there is Cleo Finch of the hit sitcom ER who first appeared in season six. Cleo Babbitt was a character in the American soap opera ‘As the World Turns’ which aired for 54 years till 2010.
The name Cleopatra came into use during the 18th century with Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra (1606). In the 1900s. Hollywood silent film actresses like Cleo Madison and Cleo Ridgely may have sparked the usage of this name. In the 21st century, however, Cleo completely superseded Cleopatra as it became one of the top-ranking names.
Cleo
Girl
Christianity
English
8
One
1 word, 4 letters, 2 vowels, 2 consonants
Short and easy to pronounce
How To Pronounce Cleo?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Cleo in English.
Famous People With The Name Cleo
- Cleopatra Madonna “Cleo” HigginsAmerican R&B/soul/pop singer, dancer, and the lead singer of the band Cleopatra
- Cleo MadisonAmerican silent film actress known for films like The Trey o’ Hearts
- Cleouna “Cleo” MooreAmerican actress renowned for her role of a blonde bombshell in Hollywood films of the 1950s
- Cleo Patra BrownAmerican blues and jazz singer honored with the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship
- Sheila Lynne “Cleo” OdzerAmerican writer known for books on prostitution in Thailand, the hippie culture of Goa
- Cleo Ridgely-HorneAmerican silent film actress known for her role in the girl-detective series of the 1920s
- Cleo PageAmerican blues guitarist known for the song ‘If you ever get lonesome’
Cleo On The Popularity Chart
Cleo has been gradually growing in popularity and saw a surge after 2010. Find more details in this chart.
Popularity Over Time
There were just 29 babies per million named Cleo in 1980. From 2013, the name started to see a sharp curve upwards and in 2021, there were 347 babies per million with the moniker.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
Cleo’s rank fluctuated since the 1980s but started improving from 2013 onwards. In 2019, it broke into the top 1000 names.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Cleo
Cleo is a short and chic name. You can find similar sounding names for your child’s sibling here.
Popular Sibling Names For Cleo
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Cleo, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Cleo
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CaelicCaelin Caelius Cailae Caillou Calahan Calbert Calbex Calder Caldre Girl Sibling Names For Cleo
Looking for some suitable sister names for Cleo? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
CaelynCailla Caillin Caldwiella Caleah Calico Calita Calleigh Callen Callyr Other Popular Names Beginning With C
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter C to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With Similar Meaning As Cleo
You like the name Cleo’s meaning but want to explore more names. Here are some other options for you.
Infographic: Know The Name Cleo‘s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name Cleo In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
cleo
In Sign Language
cleo
In Braille Alphabet
cleo
In Morse Code
cleo
Name Numerology For Cleo
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Cleo?
The name Cleo means ‘to celebrate.’
2. What is the origin of the name Cleo?
Cleo has Greek and English origins.
3. How to pronounce the name Cleo?
Cleo is pronounced as klee-ow.
4. Is Cleo a non-binary name?
Although typically used for girls, Cleo is considered a gender-neutral or unisex name, making it suitable for individuals of any gender.
5. What are some middle names that go well with the name Cleo?
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