UK boy's name
Tio
A nickname or masculine given name of Spanish origin meaning "uncle".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2011. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Tio is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Tio popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2011 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4647, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 4 births.
This profile covers 20 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 2003 to 2011. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 20 living people in the UK are called Tio. 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 2012 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Tio ranked #4647 for boys in England and Wales in 2011, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2009, when 4 boys were registered as Tio.
- • About 20 living people in the UK are estimated to have Tio as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4647
2011
Births in 2011
3
Latest year
Peak year
2009
4 births
Estimated living
20
2026
Meaning
What does Tio mean?
The name Tio has its origins in the Latin language, derived from the word "Titus," which means "to honor" or "to respect." It was a popular name among the ancient Romans and was borne by several notable figures in Roman history.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tio can be found in the writings of the Roman historian Suetonius, who documented the life of the Roman emperor Titus (39-81 AD). Titus was known for his military achievements and for his role in the destruction of Jerusalem during the Jewish-Roman wars.
In the realm of literature, the name Tio appears in the works of the Roman poet Ovid, who wrote extensively about mythology and love. One of his most famous works, the Metamorphoses, features a character named Tio, though little is known about the significance of this character.
During the Middle Ages, the name Tio experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly in Italy, where it was often associated with the Catholic Church. One notable figure from this period was Tio Cenci (c. 1460-1503), an Italian nobleman and member of the influential Cenci family.
As the centuries progressed, the name Tio continued to be used in various parts of Europe, albeit with varying spellings and pronunciations. In Spain, for instance, it was sometimes rendered as "Tío," while in France, it took the form "Tio" or "Théo."
Among the more famous individuals named Tio in more recent history is Tio Bellido (1865-1936), a Spanish painter and sculptor known for his works depicting scenes from rural life in Andalusia. Another notable figure was Tio Pepe (1892-1973), a Spanish singer and actor whose real name was Antonio Rodríguez Huéscar.
In the world of sports, one cannot overlook Tio Ellinas (born 1992), a Cypriot racing driver who has competed in various motorsport events, including the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
While the name Tio may not be as common today as it once was, its rich history and cultural significance continue to be celebrated, particularly in regions with strong ties to the Latin and Mediterranean traditions from which it emerged.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Tio over time
The chart below shows babies named Tio registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2003 to 2011. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Tio, the clearest high point is 2009. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2011, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Tio by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Tio 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4256 | 7 | 2 |
| 2000s | #3824 | 13 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Tio
- Thomas 160,894
- Tyler 42,147
- Theo 40,594
- Toby 32,482
- Theodore 30,211
- Tommy 25,300
- Teddy 20,781
- Taylor 14,354
- Tobias 13,102
- Tom 9,822
- Tristan 9,171
- Timothy 6,200
FAQ
Tio: questions and answers
How popular is the name Tio in the UK right now?
In 2011, Tio was ranked #4647 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Tio most popular?
The peak year on record was 2009, with 4 babies registered as Tio in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Tio?
A nickname or masculine given name of Spanish origin meaning "uncle".
How many people are called Tio in the UK?
A total of 20 babies have been registered as Tio across the 6 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
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.