Reo
Meanings & Origins
"respectful connection"
"language, voice"
Popularity
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“A crisp Japanese name with global cool and Polynesian soul”
Origin & Etymology
Reo (レオ) is a Japanese given name with multiple possible kanji writings, including 怜央 (wise, center), 礼緒 (respectful, thread/connection), or simply written in katakana. The name is also a Polynesian word meaning 'language' or 'voice,' particularly in Hawaiian and Māori. In the US, REO is primarily associated with REO Speedwagon, the rock band whose name referenced a flatbed truck brand. As a baby name, Reo is most popular in Japan where it has been steadily gaining favor.
Popularity Story
In Japan, Reo entered the top baby name lists in the 2000s and 2010s as parents sought names that work well internationally. The similar-sounding Leo also boosted Reo's appeal as a Japanese alternative. Outside Japan, Reo appeals to parents who want a short, punchy name with cross-cultural flair.
Cultural Significance
In Māori culture, 'reo' means language or voice, as in 'te reo Māori' (the Māori language). The Māori language revitalization movement has made 'reo' a culturally charged and celebrated word in New Zealand.
Fun Facts
- In Māori, 'te reo Māori' means 'the Māori language' — reo is the word for language or voice
- REO Speedwagon, the band, takes their name from an early 20th-century flatbed truck produced by Ransom E. Olds