Cameo
Primarily a girl's name of Italian origin with 1,501 recorded births. Also given to 218 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A piece of jewelry, etc., carved in relief.
Cameo is a girl's and boy's baby name of Italian origin, from the Italian cammeo referring to a carved relief gemstone or shell, often depicting a portrait. The word itself may derive from an Arabic root meaning 'to carve.'
Cameo is a name with instant visual poetry — it evokes delicate craftsmanship, vintage jewelry, and quiet beauty. It was used as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and carries a distinctive, artistic quality that sets it apart from mainstream naming trends.
EtymologyShow more
Cameo is built from 5 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Italian naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Cameo creates its characteristic open, approachable quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Cameo has 59+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1957.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 6 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 54 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 134 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 420 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 502 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 279 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 95 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 11 | — |
The Story of Cameo
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1992, Cameo is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Cameo are most likely born between 1982 and 2002.
How rare is Cameo?
With 1,501 total births on record, Cameo remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1957, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1980s with 502 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Cameo by the numbers
- Would fill 31 school buses
- Meeting one Cameo per day would take 4.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(59 years, 1957–2020)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 6 | #13773 |
| 2018 | 7 | #12741 |
| 2017 | 5 | #16344 |
| 2016 | 5 | #16734 |
| 2015 | 5 | #16955 |
| 2014 | 12 | #9089 |
| 2013 | 6 | #14968 |
| 2012 | 9 | #11450 |
| 2011 | 5 | #17269 |
| 2009 | 7 | #13966 |
| 2008 | 11 | #10212 |
| 2007 | 10 | #10973 |
| 2006 | 5 | #17612 |
| 2005 | 10 | #10265 |
| 2004 | 10 | #10039 |
| 2003 | 17 | #6649 |
| 2002 | 16 | #6756 |
| 2001 | 19 | #5856 |
| 2000 | 29 | #4202 |
| 1999 | 36 | #3450 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Cameo as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Cameo has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 218 births since 1979.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cameo a boy's or girl's name?
When was Cameo most popular?
How popular is the name Cameo?
Can Cameo be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1957–2020