Leo

Leo: name meaning, origin & popularity

Meaning: “lion”
Origin: Latin
Say it: LEE-oh · 2 syllables
Used for: Boys

From Latin leo meaning 'lion'. It has long been used across Europe and was borne by several popes.

Italian names Spanish names German names English names Names meaning animal Names meaning strength Names meaning brave Classic names Short names International names

How popular is Leo?

20242,347 per million US babies

Drag the line or the slider to read any year. Values are per million US births recorded by Social Security. Records before about 1937 undercount births, so early peaks can look taller than they were.

Compare with another name

Babies named Leo in 20247,811

2024 rank#24 boys

Peak year2023

Total US babies since 1880253,873

Leo is rising: use over the last five years is 3.0× what it was a decade earlier.

Names like Leo

Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.

Lucasfrom Lucania · Latin
Julianyouthful, downy-bearded · Latin
Anthonyof the Antonius family · Latin
RomanRoman, from Rome · Latin
Bennettblessed · Latin
Adrianfrom Hadria · Latin
Christianfollower of Christ · Latin
Augustvenerable, majestic · Latin

Leo questions

What does the name Leo mean?

Leo means "lion". It comes from Latin. From Latin leo meaning 'lion'. It has long been used across Europe and was borne by several popes.

Is Leo a boy or girl name?

Leo is mainly a boy's name in US records (99% of uses since 1880).

How popular is Leo?

7,811 US babies were named Leo in 2024. Its peak year was 2023.

How do you pronounce Leo?

Leo is usually pronounced LEE-oh.

Birth counts: US Social Security Administration national data, 1880–2024 (names given to 5+ babies of a sex in a year). How we write meanings.