Cool Names with a Strong O

Fri Mar 19 2021By Pamela Redmond

Baby names that begin or end with the letter O have long been particularly cool, especially (though there are a few feminine selections) for boys. The most popular girl name in the US, Olivia, has a strong O beginning, as does its rising masculine counterpart, Oliver. Both names are extremely popular throughout the Western world.

Along with Olivia and Oliver, other cool names with a strong O in the US Top 250 include Arlo, Diego, Enzo, Leo, Mateo, Milo, Olive, and Theo. Names with multiple Os may be especially cool — such as Apollo, Oona, Otto, and Rocco.

The options for cool names starting or ending with O range far beyond those offered here, of course, especially considering the entire world of Latinate baby names out there, but this group should give you a pretty good start.

Arlo

Origin:
Place-name, literary name, or short form of Carlo
Description:
Arlo has many possible derivations: possibly a shortened form of Italian name Carlo, and in Basque-speaking regions it is the word for area. In English, Arlo was first used by Edmund Spenser in The Faerie Queene and is thought to derive from the Celtic word Aherlow, meaning “between two highlands.” Arlo has become increasingly unisex, leading to the feminine variation Arlowe.

Milo

Origin:
Latin and Old German
Meaning:
"soldier or merciful"
Description:
Milo is most commonly considered to be Germanic name derived from the Latin word miles, meaning “soldier.” However, there is evidence to suggest it also may have independently spawned from the Slavic root milu, meaning “merciful.” Milo predates brother name Miles, a variation that evolved when the name immigrated to the British Isles in the Middle Ages. Mylo is an alternate spelling.

Leo

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"lion"
Description:
Leo was derived from the Latin leo, meaning “lion.” Thirteen popes have carried the name, including St. Leo the Great. In Germanic languages, Leo has historically been used as a nickname for names including Leon and Leopold. In Latinate languages, Leonardo is considered a full form for Leo.

Olivia

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"olive tree"
Description:
Olivia is one of the top US baby names as well as one of the top girl names in English-speaking and European countries around the world.

Olivia Continued

Ophelia

Origin:
Greek
Meaning:
"help"
Description:
Ophelia is a beautiful name that has long been hampered by the stigma of Hamlet's tragic heroine—for whom he seems to have invented the name—but more and more parents are beginning to put that association aside. There is also a gutsy Ophelia in Harriet Beecher Stowe's 1852 Uncle Tom's Cabin, which seems to have had some influence on baby namers at the time.

Ophelia Continued

Oscar

Origin:
English or Irish
Meaning:
"God spear, or deer-lover or champion warrior"
Description:
Oscar has Irish and Norse roots—Norse Oscar comes from the Old English Osgar, a variation of the Old Norse name Ásgeirr. The Irish form was derived from the Gaelic elements os, meaning “deer,” and car, “loving.” In Irish legend, Oscar was one of the mightiest warriors of his generation, the son of Ossian and the grandson of Finn Mac Cumhaill (MacCool).

Oscar Continued

Theo

Origin:
Diminutive of Theodore
Meaning:
"gift of God"
Description:
Many modern parents use Theo as the short form for Theodore rather than the dated Ted--including some celebs, such as Dallas Bryce Howard-- but others bypass the Grandpa name Theodore entirely and skip right to the hip nickname Theo. Short and ultra-chic, Theo's a cool, contemporary baby name choice.

Hugo

Origin:
Latinized form of Hugh
Meaning:
"mind, intellect"
Description:
Hugo, the Latin form of Hugh, has more heft and energy than the original -- and of course we love names that end (or begin, for that matter) with an o. This one is especially appealing because it's backed up by lots of solid history and European style.

Enzo

Origin:
Italian variation of Henry, also diminutive of Vincenzo and Lorenzo
Description:
Enzo originated as the Italian variation of Heinz, a German name derived from Heinrich, related to Henry. It has historically been used as a short form for Italian names such as Vincenzo and Lorenzo. The most famous bearer of the name is Enzo Ferrari, founder of the luxury sports car brand.

Owen

Origin:
Welsh
Meaning:
"young warrior; well-born"
Description:
Owen was derived from two names—the Welsh Owain and the Celtic Eoghan. Each are connected to Eugene, which ultimately came from the Greek word eugenes, comprised of the elements eu, meaning good, and genes, “born.” Owen became a Welsh patronymic surname during the Renaissance. The legendary St. Owen was a Benedictine monk who was a follower of St. Chad.

Orion

Origin:
Greek mythology name
Description:
Orion is a rising star, with both mythical and celestial overtones.

Orion Continued

Mateo

Origin:
Spanish
Meaning:
"gift of God"
Description:
Mateo is a Latinate form of Matthew, which derived from the Hebrew name Mattiyahu, consisting of the elements mattan, meaning “gift” and yah, which references the Hebrew God. Mateo can also be spelled Matteo, which is the Italian variation. Matheo is an archaic Spanish spelling, although it is used in France as Mathéo.

Mateo Continued

Oliver

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"olive tree"
Description:
Oliver derives from Olivier, the Norman French variation of the Ancient Germanic name Alfher or the Old Norse Aleifr, which comes from Olaf. Olivier emerged as the dominant spelling for its associations with the Latin word oliva, meaning “olive tree.” Oliver was used as a given name in medieval England after the spread of the French epic poem ‘La Chanson de Roland,’ which features a character named Olivier.

Oliver Continued

Nico

Origin:
Italian diminutive of Nicholas, Greek
Meaning:
"people of victory"
Description:
Nico is one of the great nickname names, full of charm, energy and effortless cool -- a neo Nick.

Otto

Origin:
German
Meaning:
"wealthy"
Description:
Cutting-edge parents have revived this German name a la Oscar.

Elio

Origin:
Italian and Spanish from Greek sun god, Helios
Description:
Elio is a sunny and spirited Italian and Spanish name that makes a great crossover prospect, which could catch on as Enzo has. Elio is also currently popular in France, ranking in the Top 250.

Otis

Origin:
German
Meaning:
"wealthy"
Description:
Otis has a double image: it's cool and bluesy a la Otis Redding, but also an upscale, high-society name of the past. Otis has real appeal for parents attracted to its catchy O initial and combination of strength and spunk.

Olive

Origin:
English, from Latin, nature name
Meaning:
"olive tree"
Description:
Though greatly overshadowed by the trendy Olivia, Olive has a quiet, subtle appeal of its own -- and is now enjoying a remarkable comeback. Olive is one of only four girl names starting with O on the US Top 1000. Cool couple Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen chose it for their daughter, reviving the name to stylishness, and now Drew Barrymore has a little Olive too, as has country singer Jake Owen.

Olive Continued

Apollo

Origin:
Greek mythology name
Description:
With mythological names rising, the handsome son of Zeus and god of medicine, music, and poetry among many other things might offer an interesting, if high-pressure, option. But if Romeo and Venus are now deemed baby-appropriate, why not Apollo? Olympic speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno might inspire some parents. And now that it's been chosen by Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale, it could take off as their first son's name—Kingston—has.

Apollo Continued

Cleo

Origin:
Greek
Meaning:
"glory"
Description:
Cleo, one of the few girls' names to boast the cool-yet-lively o ending, is of course short for Cleopatra, the name of one of the most powerful women in history.

Odin

Origin:
Old Norse mythology name
Description:
Odin is the name of the supreme Norse god of art, culture, wisdom and law -- who was handsome, charming and eloquent into the bargain. The name projects a good measure of strength and power and has excellent assimilation potential.

Ottilie

Origin:
Feminine variation of German OTTO,
Meaning:
"prosperous in battle"
Description:
Ottilie and its diminutive Ottiline are a pair of names heard among the British upper crust, but have rarely been seen here since the 1880's. Though it has German roots via Otto, Ottilie has a distinctively delicate French feel.

Ottilie Continued

Octavia

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"eighth"
Description:
Octavia began as the Latin, then Victorian name for an eighth child. While there aren't many eighth children anymore, this ancient Roman name has real possibilities as a substitute for the overused Olivia; recommended for its combination of classical and musical overtones. It was chosen for his daughter by Kevin Sorbo.

Octavia Continued

Diego

Origin:
Spanish variation of James
Meaning:
"supplanter"
Description:
The energetic Diego is rising rapidly along with a lot of other authentically Spanish baby names that work perfectly well with surnames of any origin.

Diego Continued

Cosmo

Origin:
Italian from Greek
Meaning:
"order, beauty"
Description:
We all heard it on "Seinfeld" as the long-concealed first name of Kramer, now some pioneering parents are wondering if this expansive Greek name that seems to embrace the whole cosmos could make a creative and cool choice for their baby.

Cosmo Continued

Antonio

Origin:
Spanish and Italian variation of Anthony
Meaning:
"priceless one"
Description:
Antonio is a Shakespearean favorite -- the Bard used it in no less than five of his plays, and has long been a ubiquitous classic in Spanish-speaking countries, where the nickname Tonio is also prevalent. Antonio is also among an elite group of perennially popular names in the US, where it has always been among the boys' Top 1000 since baby name record-keeping started in 1880.

Antonio Continued

Leonardo

Origin:
Italian and Spanish variation of Leonard, German
Meaning:
"brave lion"
Description:
For centuries this name was associated primarily with the towering figure of Italian Renaissance painter-scientist-inventor Leonardo da Vinci, and was scarcely used outside the Latin culture. But then along came Leonardo DiCaprio, who was supposedly given the name because his pregnant mother felt her first kick while looking at a da Vinci painting in the Ufizzi Gallery in Florence, and who would make the name young and handsome and multi-cultural.
Leonardo is a popular choice among other attractive Italian and Spanish names for boys, and its cousin Leo is popular as well.

Leonardo Continued

Orla

Origin:
Irish
Meaning:
"golden princess"
Description:
Orla is an Irish name closely associated with the high king Brian Boru, as it was the name of his sister, daughter and niece. It was very popular in the Middle Ages – the fourth most popular name in twelfth century Ireland – and has become popular again in Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales today. In Irish, the name is commonly spelled Orlaith or Orlagh.

Orson

Origin:
Latin and English
Meaning:
"bear cub"
Description:
Orson has had in the past a rotund teddy-bear image, a la Orson Welles, who early on dropped his common given name of George in favor of his more distinctive middle one, and who seemed to own it during his lifetime. No longer a single-person signature, it's now an interesting possibility for any parent seeking an unusual yet solid name. It's started to appear to the celeb set--both Paz Vega and Lauren Ambrose have little Orsons.

Orson Continued

Calypso

Origin:
Greek
Meaning:
"she who hides"
Description:
This hyper-rhythmic name has two evocative references. In Greek mythology, she was an island nymph, a daughter of Atlas, who delayed Odysseus from returning home. It is also a genre of West Indian music, originating in Trinidad and Tobago and largely popularized in the States by Harry Belafonte.

Calypso Continued

Odette

Origin:
French, from German
Meaning:
"wealthy"
Description:
Odette is the good swan in Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake, a role for which Natalie Portman won an Oscar ---and it would make a particularly soigne, sophisticated yet upbeat choice, unlike some of the more dated other 'ette'-ending names.

Odette Continued

Indigo

Origin:
Greek
Meaning:
"Indian dye"
Description:
Indigo is one of the most appealing and evocative of the new generation of color names. Color names have joined flower and jewel names -- in a big way -- and Indigo, a deep blue-purple dye from plants native to India, is particularly striking for both girls and boys. Indigo is the name of a character in the Ntozake Shange novel Sassafrass, Cypress & Indigo, and was used for his daughter by Lou Diamond Phillips.

Indigo Continued

Neo

Origin:
Latin or Tswana
Meaning:
"new or gift"
Description:
This nouveau name of Keanu Reeves's character in The Matrix has not enjoyed the same burst of popularity as its female counterpart, Trinity, but it definitely sounds, well, newer. Neo Rauch is an interesting contemporary German artist.

Marco

Origin:
Italian and Spanish form of Mark
Meaning:
"warlike"
Description:
Simple and universal, Marco is a Latin classic that would make a much livelier namesake for an Uncle Mark. It was used for her son by actress Jill Hennessy and goes well with surnames of any nationality.

Marco Continued

Echo

Origin:
Greek mythology name
Description:
Echo, the pretty, resonant name of a legendary nymph, was the heroine of Joss Whedon's sci-fi series Dollhouse. Nick Hexum, of the band 311, named his daughter Echo Love.

Emilio

Origin:
Spanish and Italian variation of Emil
Meaning:
"rival"
Description:
Dashing and popular Italian and Spanish favorite, as is Emiliano.

Emilio Continued

Ozias

Origin:
Greek
Meaning:
"salvation"
Description:
Everyone says they want an unusual name — well, if you truly do, this is one with Biblical cred that fits the bill, with the added attraction of the user-friendly nickname of Oz or Ozzie. Ozias is the name of several minor figures in the Bible. Osias is another spelling.

Ozias Continued

Cato

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"all-knowing"
Description:
Cato conjures up images of ancient Roman statesmen and southern antebellum retainers; it could have revival potential, with its 'O' ending and the current interest in the names of Greek and Roman antiquity.

Ivo

Origin:
German
Meaning:
"yew wood, archer"
Description:
Ivo is an unusual, catchy name with the energetic impact of all names ending in 'o'. Hardly heard in the U.S., it is used a bit more frequently in England, as is the related Ivor, a favorite of such novelists as Evelyn Waugh and P.G. Wodehouse. Ivo is currently most popular in the Netherlands.

Ocean

Origin:
Nature name
Description:
Nature names like Ocean and River are flowing back into favor, especially with nature lovers and green-oriented parents.

Ocean Continued

Lorenzo

Origin:
Italian variation of Laurence
Meaning:
"from Laurentium"
Description:
Latinizing Lawrence gives it a whole new lease on life. Like Leonardo, Lorenzo has been integrated into the American stockpot of names, partly via actor Lorenzo Lamas. Other associations are with Lorenzo de' Medici, the Florentine Renaissance merchant prince and art patron, Renaissance artists Ghiberti and Lotto, and the upstanding young man who married Shylock's daughter Jessica in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.

Lorenzo Continued

Oberon

Origin:
Variation of Auberon
Meaning:
"noble, bearlike"
Description:
The Shakespearean character Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream is King of the Fairies, but the name, with its strong 'O' beginning, projects a far more virile image than that.

Oberon Continued

Oona

Origin:
Irish, variation of Una
Meaning:
"lamb"
Description:
Oona is a name made famous by Eugene O'Neill's daughter, who became Charlie Chaplin's wife. One of the original Oona's granddaughters was named after her, and is now an actress famous in her own right for playing Talisa of Volantis in HBO's "Game of Thrones." The double-o beginning gives their name a lot of oomph.

Orlando

Origin:
Italian variation of Roland
Meaning:
"famous throughout the land"
Description:
Orlando, the ornate Italianate twist on the dated Roland, with a literary heritage stretching back to Shakespeare and before, has appealing book-ended o's, and is open to combination with almost any last name, a la British actor, Orlando Bloom.

Orlando Continued

Oren

Origin:
Hebrew
Meaning:
"laurel or pine tree"
Description:
Soft and sensitive name often heard in Israel.

Inigo

Origin:
Basque, medieval Spanish variation of Ignatius
Meaning:
"fiery"
Description:
Inigo, almost unknown in the U.S., is an intriguing choice, with its strong beat, creative and evocative sound, and associations with the great early British architect and stage designer Inigo Jones. The sixteenth-seventeenth century Jones shared his name with his father, a London clockmaker, who received it when Spanish names for boys were fashionable in England, especially among devout Roman Catholics.

Inigo Continued

Dario

Origin:
Italian variation of Darius
Meaning:
"kingly or possess well"
Description:
More creative and classier than Mario. It has regularly ranked near the bottom of the US Top 1000 over the last four decades. It does much better across the pond, and is especially popular in Italy, Spain, and Switzerland.

Dario Continued

Jethro

Origin:
Hebrew
Meaning:
"excellence"
Description:
Jethro, though the biblical father-in-law of Moses, has suffered for a long time from a Beverly Hillbilly image, but some really adventurous parents might consider updating and urbanizing it and transitioning it into the hip o-ending category.

Jethro Continued

Bo

Origin:
Norse nickname
Meaning:
"to live"
Description:
A popular name in Denmark, in this country Bo has some cowboy swagger and a lot of substance in its minimal two letters. In Mandarin Chinese, Bo means "wave".

Viggo

Origin:
Scandinavian
Meaning:
"war"
Description:
Though to most Americans Viggo is a one-person name attached to intense actor Mortensen, it is actually an old Norse name dating back to the Vikings, and is currently the 32nd most popular appellation in Sweden. Viggo Mortensen is a Jr., sharing his name with his Danish father. We think this name is so, well, vigorous, that it might appeal to others as well. Taylor and Natalie Hanson seemed to agree when they chose it for their fourth child.

Viggo Continued

Loading ...