John vs Leon

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

John

Boy #21 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"Yahweh is gracious"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Irish American Christian Jewish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#21
Total SSA Count
8,047
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Johnny, Jack, Jonny

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for John →

Leon

Boy #141 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"brave, lion-hearted"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

English German Spanish French Greek

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#141
Total SSA Count
2,547
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Leo, Lee

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Leon →

Popularity Comparison

John Rank #21
Leon Rank #141

John is more popular, ranked #21 vs #141 for Leon.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

John ___

  • John Thomas
  • John Michael
  • John William
  • John Patrick
  • John Edward
  • John Henry

Leon ___

  • Leon James
  • Leon Alexander
  • Leon Nathaniel
  • Leon Michael
  • Leon Charles
  • Leon Andrew

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose John

Mary James Catherine Patrick Elizabeth

If you choose Leon

Felix Otto Clara Mia Hugo

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is John or Leon more popular?

John is more popular, ranked #21 compared to Leon at #141 in the United States.

What do John and Leon mean?

John means "Yahweh is gracious" (Hebrew origin). Leon means "brave, lion-hearted" (Latin origin).

Are John and Leon boy or girl names?

John is primarily a boy name. Leon is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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← Full profile: John ← Full profile: Leon Browse all baby names