Teo

Teo is primarily a masculine given name and, less commonly, a surname. In Italy and many Spanish-speaking regions it is often used as a standalone given name, typically as a diminutive of Teodoro (Theodore) or Teofil. In other contexts Teo exists as an independent name, reflecting the cross-cultural adoption of short forms. In Southeast Asia and among the global Chinese diaspora, Teo commonly appears as a surname and is found in communities in the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and elsewhere, where it is a romanization of local family names.

The name Teo is used across multiple languages and cultures, and its forms closely related to Theo and Teodor appear in various regions. The pronunciation and spelling can vary by language, but its concise, easy-to-say form has contributed to its popularity as a personal name. While most often masculine, the usage of Teo can differ by community, and in some contexts it may function as a nickname or a gender-neutral given name.

Beyond individuals, Teo may also appear as a toponym or in the names of organizations, products, or fictional characters, though these uses are less common than its primary role as a personal name. Overall, Teo is characterized by its brevity, cross-cultural presence, and flexibility as both a given name and a surname.