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Neo

Boy name · 45 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Neo: 45 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 6 births in 2023.

Of Greek origin, Neo is a modern coinage from the Greek *neos* meaning ‘new’ or ‘young’, though its most famous leap into the mainstream came from cinema: it was the alter-ego of Keanu Reeves’ character in *The Matrix* trilogy (1999–2003), Thomas Anderson. That film connection gave the name a futuristic, tech-savvy edge, propelling it into popularity in the early 2000s. The name also appears in the context of the Afrikaans language, where it can be a short form of *Neoploa* or a variant of *Nieu*, carrying a similar sense of newness. Neo has no major place names directly tied to it, but its meaning has made it a popular choice in Scotland as a fresh, minimalist alternative to longer, more traditional names.