UK name, mostly boys
Neo
A masculine name from the Greek meaning "new" or "fresh".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Neo is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Neo popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #545, with 70 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 99 births.
This profile covers 1,563 England and Wales registrations across 25 recorded years from 2000 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, NRS Scotland and NISRA Northern Ireland, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 71% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 1,606 living people in the UK are called Neo. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Neo ranked #545 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 70 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2003, when 99 boys were registered as Neo.
- • Neo ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #404 in 2024.
- • About 1,606 living people in the UK are estimated to have Neo as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 99.6% of Neo registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#545
2024
Births in 2024
70
Latest year
Peak year
2003
99 births
Estimated living
1,606
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Neo
In England and Wales birth records, Neo has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 99.6% of registrations are for boys and 0.4% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Neo registered for boys
- Ranked #545 in 2024
- 70 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2003 (99 births)
Neo registered for girls
- Ranked #4,764 in 2011
- 4 girls registered in 2011
- Peak: 2011 (4 births)
Meaning
What does Neo mean?
The name Neo has its origins in the Greek language and culture, emerging during the classical period of ancient Greece. It is derived from the Greek word "neos," which translates to "new" or "young." This name was given to children as a symbolic representation of new beginnings, fresh perspectives, and the potential for growth and renewal.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Neo can be found in ancient Greek literature, specifically in the works of the philosopher Plato. In his dialogues, Plato introduced a character named Neo, who was a student of the renowned philosopher Socrates. This literary reference highlights the name's association with intellectualism and the pursuit of knowledge.
In the realm of Greek mythology, the name Neo was sometimes associated with the goddess Eos, the personification of dawn, further reinforcing its connection to new beginnings and the cycle of life. Additionally, some historical records suggest that the name was popular among Greek families during the Hellenistic period, spanning from the 4th to the 1st century BC.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Neo. One of the most famous was Neo of Sion, a Christian martyr and saint who lived in the 3rd century AD. He is revered for his unwavering faith and his willingness to sacrifice his life for his beliefs during the Roman persecutions of Christians.
Another prominent figure was Neo Choriates, a Byzantine historian and theologian who lived in the 13th century. He is best known for his historical accounts and his contributions to the preservation of Byzantine literature and culture.
In the realm of philosophy, Neo Platonism, a school of thought that emerged in the 3rd century AD, took its name from the Greek philosopher Plotinus, whose first name was Neo. This philosophical movement sought to reconcile Platonic philosophy with various religious and mystical traditions, leaving a lasting impact on Western thought.
During the Renaissance period, Neo Fechin, an Irish monk and scribe, gained recognition for his exceptional calligraphic skills and his contributions to the preservation of ancient texts. His work played a crucial role in the transmission of knowledge during a time when scholarship and learning were highly valued.
In more recent times, Neo Rauch, a contemporary German painter born in 1960, has gained international acclaim for his surrealistic and enigmatic works of art, which often explore themes of memory, history, and the human condition.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the name Neo, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human achievement and cultural heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Neo over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Neo in England and Wales, from 2000 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Neo, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 70 births in 2024, compared with 99 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Neo by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Neo was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #563 | 342 | 5 |
| 2010s | #673 | 505 | 10 |
| 2000s | #415 | 716 | 10 |
Geography
Where Neo is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Neo. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Neo ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #404 in 2024.
Across the UK
Neo in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#478 in 2024
11 years of NRS records, 42 total registered
Northern Ireland (NISRA)
#404 in 2024
3 years of NISRA records, 12 total registered
Notable bearers
Famous people named Neo
-
Neo Yau
actor
Hong Kong actor
1990-
Related
Names similar to Neo
- Noah 72,596
- Nathan 46,860
- Nicholas 15,983
- Nathaniel 12,151
- Niall 5,746
- Nicolas 3,825
- Nico 3,532
- Nate 2,029
- Nikodem 1,872
- Noel 1,865
- Ned 1,614
- Neil 1,457
FAQ
Neo: questions and answers
How popular is the name Neo in the UK right now?
In 2024, Neo was ranked #545 for boys in England and Wales, with 70 births registered.
When was Neo most popular?
The peak year on record was 2003, with 99 babies registered as Neo in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Neo?
A masculine name from the Greek meaning "new" or "fresh".
How many people are called Neo in the UK?
A total of 1,563 babies have been registered as Neo across the 25 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 42 more in Scotland and 12 in Northern Ireland.
Where is Neo most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Neo ranks best in Northern Ireland, where it placed #404 in 2024. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.