Kameo
Primarily a girl's name of Italian origin with 121 recorded births. Also given to 10 boys.
Meaning & Origin
cameo
Kameo is a girl's and boy's baby name of Italian origin, a variant of Cameo, from the Italian cammeo meaning 'a small carved relief portrait,' typically in shell or stone. As a name, Kameo suggests something rare and artfully crafted — a unique, carefully made treasure.
EtymologyShow more
Kameo 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 Kameo 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
Kameo has 19+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1975.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 11 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 15 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 62 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 22 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 11 | — |
The Story of Kameo
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1987, Kameo is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Kameo are most likely born between 1977 and 1997.
How rare is Kameo?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Kameo is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1975, peaked in the 1990s with 62 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Kameo by the numbers
- Would fill 3 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(19 years, 1975–2016)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5 | #17519 |
| 2010 | 6 | #15935 |
| 2009 | 5 | #18688 |
| 2007 | 5 | #18985 |
| 2006 | 5 | #18556 |
| 1999 | 6 | #13472 |
| 1998 | 8 | #10587 |
| 1997 | 5 | #14841 |
| 1995 | 7 | #11069 |
| 1994 | 9 | #9178 |
| 1993 | 7 | #11129 |
| 1992 | 6 | #12467 |
| 1991 | 6 | #12203 |
| 1990 | 8 | #9666 |
| 1989 | 5 | #13321 |
| 1987 | 11 | #6523 |
| 1980 | 6 | #9611 |
| 1979 | 5 | #10912 |
| 1975 | 6 | #8443 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Kameo as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Kameo has also been given to 10 boys in the U.S. since 2016.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kameo a boy's or girl's name?
When was Kameo most popular?
How popular is the name Kameo?
Can Kameo be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1975–2016