Reo
Meaningoften lion · Japanese
Reo is a Japanese boy name often meaning “lion”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds short and punchy, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a longer middle name.
Did you know?
- GenerationReo peaked in 1917, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Reo would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 142,857 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryReo first shows up in US birth records in 1912, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 113 years since.
US births per million boys, 1912–2025
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Reo
Reo is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “often lion”. Short and strong, it's said in a single beat and ends on an open, friendly vowel, so it pairs easily with a longer middle name. It was most fashionable in the 1910s, which gives it a vintage, grandparent-chic charm. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Japanese names
More Japanese boy names
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Rio · river
- Unisex name: Akari · light, brightness
- Boy name: Kenzo · often healthy third son
- Boy name: Kenji · often strong second son
- Unisex name: Ren · often lotus
- Unisex name: Zen · meditation
- Unisex name: Mars · god of war
Questions about the name Reo
What does the name Reo mean?
Reo means “often lion” and comes from Japanese. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Leo (“lion”), Leonardo (“brave as a lion”), Leon (“lion”) and Leonel (“little lion”).
What is the origin of the name Reo?
Reo is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Reo a boy or girl name?
Reo is a boy name. In 2025, 12 US boys were named Reo.
How popular is the name Reo?
Reo ranked #6,803 for US boys in 2025, given to 12 babies. Its best year was 1917, when it reached #1,755. Over the last five years it has slipped 183 places.
What names are similar to Reo?
If you like Reo, you might also like Leo, Leonardo, Leon and Leonel.
What should I know before naming my baby Reo?
Reo is a Japanese boy name often meaning “lion”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds short and punchy, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a longer middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.