"lion-hearted, brave"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Leo
Pronunciation: [ l-EE-oh ]
Boy Name
#24 Most Popular
Rising
2 Syllables
The lion's name — regal, roaring, and timeless
English
Italian
German
French
American
Spanish
Bold
Strong
Vintage
Playful
Classic
Meaning & Origin
The Story of Leo
Leo is the Latin word for lion and was widely used in the Roman Empire as a given name. It derives from the ancient Greek leon, also meaning lion. The lion as a symbol of royalty, courage, and strength made Leo a natural name for leaders throughout history — 13 popes bore this name, as did several Byzantine emperors. Leo is also a major constellation and the fifth sign of the zodiac.
Leo has been rising steadily across the English-speaking world since the 2000s, becoming one of the trendiest boys' names of the 2010s. In the UK and Australia it reached the top 5. In the US it climbed from outside the top 100 in 2000 to inside the top 20 by 2020. Its combination of brevity, strength, and cultural breadth makes it nearly ideal for contemporary parents.
The lion is the symbol of England, Scotland, and numerous European royal houses. Pope Leo the Great stopped Attila the Hun from sacking Rome in 452 CE. Leo Tolstoy is considered one of the greatest novelists in history. As an astrological sign, Leo is associated with leadership and charisma.
Fun Facts
- 13 popes have been named Leo, more than any papal name other than John and Gregory
- Leo Tolstoy wrote War and Peace, often considered one of the greatest novels ever written
- Leonardo DiCaprio was named after the artist Leonardo da Vinci, with Leo as his everyday name
Leo in Other Languages
Greek
Λέων
Arabic
ليو
French
Léon
German
Leo
Italian
Leone
Russian
Лев
Spanish
León
Famous People Named Leo
L
Leo Messi
Athlete
1987
Argentine professional footballer widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, eight-time Ballon d'Or winn...
Argentine professional footballer widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, eight-time Ballon d'Or winner
L
Leonardo DiCaprio
Actor
1974
Academy Award-winning American actor known as Leo, star of Titanic, The Revenant, and countless acclaimed films
L
Leo Tolstoy
Writer
1828
Russian author of War and Peace and Anna Karenina, widely considered one of the greatest novelists in history
L
Leo McGarry Fictional
Other
The wise and principled White House Chief of Staff in The West Wing, played by John Spencer
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #24
- Total SSA Count
- 7,793
- Cultural Origins
- English Italian German French American Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Pairs Well With
Leo James
Leo Thomas
Leo Alexander
Leo Cole
Leo Grey
Leo Xavier
Leo Finn
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Leo is also used as a girl name, ranked #6600.
View Leo as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Leo
What does the name Leo mean?
"lion-hearted, brave" (from Latin). Leo is the Latin word for lion and was widely used in the Roman Empire as a given name. It derives from the ancient Greek leon, also meaning lion. The lion as a symbol of royalty, courage, and strength made Leo a natural name for leaders throughout history — 13 popes bore this name, as did several Byzantine emperors. Leo is also a major constellation and the fifth sign of the zodiac.
What is the origin of the name Leo?
Leo has Latin, English, Italian, German, French, American, and Spanish origins. In Latin, it means "lion-hearted, brave".
Is Leo a boy or girl name?
Leo is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #24. As a girl name, it is ranked #6600. Leo is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Leo?
Leo is pronounced l-EE-oh.
How popular is the name Leo?
Leo is currently ranked #24 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Leo?
Popular middle name pairings include Leo James, Leo Thomas, Leo Alexander, Leo Cole, Leo Grey, Leo Xavier, and Leo Finn.
What are good sibling names for Leo?
Names that pair well with Leo as siblings include Luna, Isla, Mia, Oscar, Violet, Arthur, and Stella.
How many syllables does Leo have?
Leo has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Leo a common or rare name?
Leo is a very popular name, ranked #24 among boy names in the United States.
About the Name Leo
Leo is a boy name with English, Italian, German, French, American, and Spanish origins . The name means "lion-hearted, brave" in Latin .
Is Leo a boy or girl name? Leo is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #24 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #6,600. Leo is more commonly used as a boy name.
Leo is currently ranked #24 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Leo has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-EE-oh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Leo include Leonardo, Leon, Leonel, Leonidas, Leonard . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.