The Age of "O"-Ending Names

Every generation, certain name sounds cycle in and out of favor. One of the sounds that's currently in favor is the "o" ending. That's especially true for boys' names. Parents are now seeking out more vowel endings in boys' names and less consonant endings. Names ending in "o" are only one example.

While names ending in "o" are mostly on the rise for boys, there are also names rising in use for girls. Here are some rising names for both genders containing the "o" sound at the end:

Apollo

Apollo is a mythological name that can lead to feminine nickname "Polly."

Arlo

Arlo sounds like it could be old-fashioned, containing sounds from Archie and Milo. Yet, it's most popular now.

Benicio

Benicio sounds like the Spanish born of classic Benedict, making it an interesting alternative to Mateo.

Cairo

Cairo is a place name that connects to the capital city of Egypt.

Cleo

Vintage Cleo is cute and spunky, making it a sister for Sadie. It was in the top 200 a century ago and has recently returned to the charts.

Eliseo

Italian Eliseo sounds like a masculine way to honor an Elizabeth.  

Emilio

Emilia has been in the top 100 for girls since 2017. Masculine equivalent Emilio could soon follow the same path.

Enzo

Enzo is rising quickly in use. It is an ending to longer names like Lorenzo and can work as an alternative to Ezra.

Halo

Halo is a contemporary word name connecting to a ring above an angel's head. It has just started to rise in use for girls. 

Harlow

This modern surname brings to mind Hollywood platinum bombshell Jean Harlow.

Kairo

This is a re-spelling of Egyptian place name Cairo, except that it's more popular now.

Kenzo

Mackenzie was a recent hit for girls. Many women with the name are now becoming parents, so they can use Kenzo as honor names.

Kylo

Kylo sounds like a modernization of new classic Kyle along with being connected to the Star Wars franchise.

Leo

Classic Leo was popular a century ago and is back again today. It means "lion" and is short for several longer names such as Leonardo and Leonidas.

Leonardo

Leonardo is an Italian elaboration of classic Leonard that brings to mind Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci. 

Lorenzo

Lorenzo, an Italian and Spanish form of classic Lawrence, brings to mind Italian Renaissance ruler Lorenzo de Medici. 

Luciano

Italian Luciano makes for a great masculine way to honor a Lucy.

Margo(t)

Margot, with and without the "t", is on the rise. It's a short and more quirky form of classic Margaret.

Mateo

Mateo is a Spanish twist on classic Matthew that's popular for the first time.

Meadow

Meadow connects to a grassland. It's also structurally similar to Willow, making it an alternative.

Milo

Milo replies Miles's "es" ending sound with an "o" sound. This version sounds more informal than the equally-classic Miles, but it ages just as well. 

Monroe

Monroe is a surname with both presidential and Hollywood connections. The name connects to former President James Monroe and actress Marilyn Monroe.

Mylo

Mylo is a phonetic re-spelling of Milo that clarifies its beginning long-"I" sound.

Nico

Cute Nico is the Italian short form of Nicholas. It's getting more popular recently.  

Niko

Niko respells Nico by replacing the "c" with a "k". 

Otto

This Germanic classic name been worn by several heroes throughout history. This sweet name also connect to a fictional character in Todd Parr's book series of the same name. 

Rio

Rio is the Spanish and Portuguese word for river that brings to mind the animated blue parrot from the film franchise of the same name.

Santiago

Santiago, like Mateo, is among the Spanish names rising in use for the first time. It is also the Spanish term for St. James.

Santino

Santino, which sounds similar to Santiago, is also rising in use. Until it becomes popular, Santino can serve as a less common substitute.

Shiloh

This Biblical place name is on the rise for boys and girls alike.

Tadeo

Tadeo is the Spanish form of Thaddeus as similar-sounding Mateo is to Matthew.

Theo

Theo, like Leo, is short for longer names like Theodore. With the introduction of Theo Sharpe in the second season of Netflix series Bridgerton, this name is bound to hit the top 100.

Thiago

Thiago derives from Santiago, explaining the similar sound in this three-syllable name.

Valentino

If feminine Valentina is in the top 100, it paves the way for masculine Valentino to follow. 

Willow

Willow is a modern tree name that doesn't feel too trendy despite its popularity. It sounds like a feminine honor name for a William.

What are your favorite names ending in "o"?