"the hidden one, lady"
Origin: Pre-Greek/Lycian
Language: English
Leto
Pronunciation: [ l-EET-oh ]
Does Leto flow with your last name?
Mother of Apollo and Artemis, goddess of light
Greek
American
French
Unique
Mythological
Bold
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Leto
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Leto
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"Titaness, mother of Apollo and Artemis"
Origin: Greek mythology
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Leto
See all →What the Leto report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Leto the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Leto
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Leto head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Leto actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with actor Jared Leto, whose controversial behavior may be a consideration for some parents
The Story of Leto
Leto is an ancient Greek name of pre-Greek (possibly Lycian) origin, potentially meaning the hidden one or lady. In Greek mythology, Leto was a Titaness, daughter of the Titans Coeus and Phoebe, and the mother of the twin gods Apollo and Artemis by Zeus. Her story is one of perseverance — she wandered the world while pregnant, unable to find a place to give birth, until the floating island of Delos provided refuge.
Leto is gaining attention among parents who favor Greek mythology names alongside Apollo, Artemis, and Atlas. Its short, punchy two-syllable sound fits current trends perfectly, and the mythological connection gives it intellectual depth.
In Greek mythology, Leto represents maternal devotion and endurance. Despite Zeus's wife Hera persecuting her throughout her pregnancy, Leto persevered and gave birth to two of the most important Olympian deities. For families interested in mythology, this story of resilience adds meaning to the name.
Historical Record
Leto first appeared in US Social Security records in 2006.
Over 129 babies have been named Leto in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Leto is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #5,815 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Leto is the mother of both Apollo (god of the sun and arts) and Artemis (goddess of the moon and hunt)
- The island of Delos, where Leto gave birth, became one of the most sacred sites in ancient Greece
- Jared Leto, the Oscar-winning actor and musician, has brought contemporary attention to this ancient name
Leto in Other Languages
Greek
Leto
Latin
Latona
French
Leto
Italian
Latona
Spanish
Latona
Popularity Over Time
#5,815
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Leto
J
Jared Leto
Actor
1971
Academy Award-winning American actor and musician, known for roles in Dallas Buyers Club and Requiem for a Dream
L
Leto (Titaness)
Other
Greek Titaness, daughter of Coeus and Phoebe, mother of Apollo and Artemis
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Thierry
Boy
"ruler of the people"
#5,615
Dansby
Boy
"Dane's settlement"
#5,631
Broden
Boy
"little salmon, little goad"
#6,011
Iden
Boy
"pasture in a marsh"
#5,922
Kyloh
Boy
"narrow piece of land"
#5,923
Compare Leto with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,815
- Total SSA Count
- 16
- Cultural Origins
- Greek American French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Lee
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Leto
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Leto
Phonetic neighbors that share Leto's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Leto fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Leto →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Leto with...
Same Origin Names (Greek)
See all Greek names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Leto
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Leto and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Leto sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Thierry
Boy
Germanic origin
"ruler of the people"
#5,615 in US
Dansby
Boy
Old English/Old Norse origin
"Dane's settlement"
#5,631 in US
Broden
Boy
Irish Gaelic origin
"little salmon, little goad"
#6,011 in US
Iden
Boy
Old English origin
"pasture in a marsh"
#5,922 in US
Kyloh
Boy
Gaelic origin
"narrow piece of land"
#5,923 in US
Bryon
Boy
Old English origin
"barn for cows, cowshed"
#5,799 in US
Ashby
Boy
Old Norse origin
"ash tree farm, settlement by ash trees"
#5,889 in US
Emma
Boy
Old German origin
"entire, all-encompassing"
#5,826 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Leto's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leto
What does the name Leto mean?
"the hidden one, lady" (from Pre-Greek/Lycian). "Titaness, mother of Apollo and Artemis" (from Greek mythology). Leto is an ancient Greek name of pre-Greek (possibly Lycian) origin, potentially meaning the hidden one or lady. In Greek mythology, Leto was a Titaness, daughter of the Titans Coeus and Phoebe, and the mother of the twin gods Apollo and Artemis by Zeus. Her story is one of perseverance — she wandered the world while pregnant, unable to find a place to give birth, until the floating island of Delos provided refuge.
What is the origin of the name Leto?
Leto has Pre-Greek/Lycian, Greek mythology, Greek, American, and French origins. In Pre-Greek/Lycian, it means "the hidden one, lady". In Greek mythology, it means "Titaness, mother of Apollo and Artemis".
Is Leto a boy or girl name?
Leto is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Leto?
Leto is pronounced l-EET-oh.
How popular is the name Leto?
Leto is currently ranked #5815 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Leto?
Common nicknames for Leto include Lee.
What are good middle names for Leto?
Popular middle name pairings include Leto James, Leto Alexander, Leto River, Leto August, Leto Felix, and Leto Orion.
What are good sibling names for Leto?
Names that pair well with Leto as siblings include Apollo, Artemis, Castor, Phoebe, Orion, and Diana.
How many syllables does Leto have?
Leto has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Leto a common or rare name?
Leto is an uncommon name, ranked #5815 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Leto
Leto is a boy name with Greek, American, and French origins . The name means "the hidden one, lady" in Pre-Greek/Lycian .
Leto is currently ranked #5,815 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Leto has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-EET-oh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Leto include Lee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Pre-Greek/Lycian Names
Browse all names with this origin
L
Names Starting with L
More boy names like Leto
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis