Entry № 2419 · Greek origin

Theophano Theophano — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ thee-OF-ah-noh /

Gender

Girl

Origin

Greek

Meaning

"Manifestation of God (Byzantine empress to Otto II)"

Syllables

Rank · US 2025

№ 0

First recorded

Medieval (Greek)

The meaning

A name that means "manifestation of god (byzantine empress to otto ii)".

Theophano (Θεοφανώ) combines the Greek theos (God) and phaino ("to appear"). **Theophano (c. 955-991)** was the **Byzantine princess who married Holy Roman Emperor Otto II in 972** — bringing Eastern Roman court culture to the Ottonian dynasty. **After Otto II's death she served as regent for their son Otto III**, ruling the Western Empire from 983-991 with great skill. **The Easter eggs she brought from Constantinople began the European Easter egg tradition.**

Featured in the *Lothar Cross* iconography.

Manifestation of God. Byzantine empress who brought Eastern court culture and Easter eggs west.

In its original form

The name in its native script.

Θεοφανώ

Transliteration: Theophanṓ
Pronunciation: / θiˈɒf.ə.noʊ /
Root: —
Grammatical form: —

Popularity

Where Theophano stands.

Current rank · 2025

№ 0 in the U.S.

All-time peak

№ 0 in 0

Babies named Theophano · last year

87 in the U.S.

First entered SSA top-1000

Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular

Namesakes

Theophanos before her.

Real people

Theophano

Byzantine-Ottonian Empress.

c. 955 – 991

In fiction

Theophano

Featured in Ottonian historical novels.

Names connected to Theophano.

Numerology

The number behind Theophano.

The Authority

Theophano reduces to eight — the number of Byzantine regent.

Parents on Theophano

Why families chose this name.

"Ottonian empress. Nine letters. Theophano."

Eleni · Mother of one · Constantinople