Theo

From Greek theos, meaning “god,” and often used as a short form of longer Greek-based names.

Theo is a widely recognized short given name that functions both as a standalone name and as a familiar short form in many families. It has become especially popular in modern usage because it is brief, easy to spell, and works across multiple languages with only minor pronunciation shifts. Etymologically, Theo connects to Greek naming traditions that use the element theos, meaning “god,” and it is commonly treated as a short form of longer names such as Theodore or Theodora. Because it operates as a short form, people may think of it as tied to those longer names even when it is used independently. In English, Theo is often pronounced THEE-oh; in German and some other languages the first vowel can be a bit shorter. You may also see the spelling Teo in some contexts, but the intended sound and the two-syllable shape are usually similar.

Etymology: Theo is commonly treated as a short form in names such as Theodore/Theodora and other Greek theophoric name traditions built from the element theos (“god”). In modern use it is also widely used as a standalone name.