Girl
Greek
2 syllables
Cleo
KLEE-oh
/ˈkliːoʊ/
"The glorious one" — a name of legendary power, artistic flair, and timeless golden glamour
Cleo is a vibrant short form of Cleopatra, meaning 'glory of the father' in Greek, or stands independently as a form of Clio, the Greek muse of history. The name carries the legendary glamour of Cleopatra, Egypt's most famous queen, while its short two-syllable form gives it a crisp, modern energy. After a long mid-century hiatus, Cleo has been experiencing a charming revival, beloved by parents who want something vintage, punchy, and irresistibly cool.
Quick Facts
Letters4
SyllablesCle · o
GenderGirl
OriginGreek
Root WordKleos
MeaningGlory, fame
PopularityCommon
Peak Year1920
Trend
↑ Rising
Nicknames
Cle
About the Name Cleo
Cleo means 'glory' or 'fame,' derived from the Greek kleos meaning 'glory, renown.' As a short form of Cleopatra, it carries the full meaning 'glory of the father' (from kleos + pater). As a form of Clio, the Greek muse of history, it connects to the glory of historical memory and storytelling. Either way, it is a name associated with enduring brilliance and fame.
Cleo is most commonly understood as a short form of Cleopatra, though it also stands as a form of Clio (the muse of history) and can be used as a fully independent name. Many parents today choose Cleo as a standalone name, attracted by its vintage short-name appeal, without intending any connection to the full form Cleopatra.
Cleo is associated with charisma, intelligence, and a bold, magnetic personality. People named Cleo tend to be seen as confident and creative, with a natural flair for self-expression and an ability to command attention without effort. The name carries royal Egyptian glamour and artistic muse energy in equal measure — a potent combination.
Cleo is predominantly a feminine name in modern usage, strongly associated with Cleopatra. However, it can technically be used for boys as a short form of names like Cleophus or simply as a given name. In practice it is almost exclusively given to girls, and its cultural associations are entirely feminine.
Cleo's short, punchy two syllables pair beautifully with sweet single-syllable middles. Perfect options include Cleo Rose, Cleo Mae, Cleo Jade, Cleo Faye, and Cleo Pearl. The name also sounds wonderful before two-syllable options like Cleo Violet or Cleo Iris, where the combination has a pleasingly vintage botanical quality.
Yes, Cleo is part of a broader revival of short, vintage names that feel fresh precisely because they've been dormant for decades. Names like Cleo, Nell, Bea, and Ivy have all been climbing in the past decade. Cleo benefits from being short, easy to spell and pronounce, historically rich, and genuinely cool — a rare combination.
Personality of Cleo
Perceived character traits commonly associated with people named Cleo
Creativity
90%
Elegance
88%
Independence
90%
Intelligence
88%
Strength
84%
Warmth
78%
Famous People Named Cleo
C
Cleopatra VII
Last active ruler of ancient Egypt, one of history's most powerful and famous women
C
Cleo Lane
British jazz singer and actress, acclaimed for her extraordinary vocal range
C
Cleo (H2O character)
Popular character from the Australian children's series H2O: Just Add Water
C
Cleo Sol
British soul singer celebrated for her rich voice and neo-soul artistry
Middle Names for Cleo
Beautiful combinations that flow well with Cleo
Cleo Rose
Cleo Mae
Cleo Jade
Cleo Faye
Cleo Pearl
Cleo Wren
Cleo Violet
Cleo June
Cleo Iris
Cleo Skye
Cleo Dawn
Cleo Grace
Names Similar to Cleo
Similar Sound
Similar Meaning
Sibling Name Ideas
History of Cleo
69 BCE
Cleopatra VII born in Alexandria, Egypt, destined to become the ancient world's most legendary queen
1900
Cleo popular as a given name in the early 20th century United States
1960
Elizabeth Taylor's Cleopatra brings the queen back into popular consciousness
2010
Cleo begins a quiet but steady revival as part of the vintage short-name trend
Numerology & Symbolism of Cleo
8
Destiny Number
Sum of all letters
2
Soul Urge
Sum of vowels
♍
Zodiac Affinity
Leo
1
Lucky Number
Personal power digit
🎨
Lucky Color
Gold
💎
Lucky Stone
Amber
🌸
Lucky Flower
Lotus
Cleo Around the World
How Cleo is written in different languages and scripts
كليو
Arabic
クレオ
Japanese
Клео
Russian
클레오
Korean
克利奥
Chinese
Κλεώ
Greek
क्लियो
Hindi
קלאו
Hebrew
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