Leonard

Leonard: name meaning, origin & popularity

Meaning: “brave lion”
Origin: Germanic
Say it: LEN-ərd · 2 syllables
Used for: Boys

From the Germanic name Leonhard, composed of elements meaning 'lion' and 'hardy, brave'. Saint Leonard helped spread the name in medieval Europe.

English names German names French names Names meaning brave Names meaning animal Names meaning strength Classic names Vintage names

How popular is Leonard?

2024121 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 Leonard in 2024404

2024 rank#673 boys

Peak year1920

Total US babies since 1880295,296

Leonard is steady now but far below its 1920 peak.

Names like Leonard

Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.

Leonardobrave lion · Italian
Leonlion · Greek
Lenardbrave lion · Germanic
Williamresolute protector · Germanic
Henryhome ruler · Germanic
Charlesfree man · Germanic
Milessoldier or merciful · Germanic
Robertbright fame · Germanic

Leonard questions

What does the name Leonard mean?

Leonard means "brave lion". It comes from Germanic. From the Germanic name Leonhard, composed of elements meaning 'lion' and 'hardy, brave'. Saint Leonard helped spread the name in medieval Europe.

Is Leonard a boy or girl name?

Leonard is mainly a boy's name in US records (100% of uses since 1880).

How popular is Leonard?

404 US babies were named Leonard in 2024. Its peak year was 1920.

How do you pronounce Leonard?

Leonard is usually pronounced LEN-ərd.

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.