Napoleon

Napoleon: name meaning, origin & popularity

Meaning: “lion of the valley”
Origin: Greek
Say it: nuh-POH-lee-un · 4 syllables
Used for: Boys

Napoleon is most associated with French use through Napoleon Bonaparte. Its etymology is debated, but a common traditional explanation connects it to Greek elements interpreted as 'lion' and 'valley'; the origin remains uncertain. The origin of this name is not settled among etymologists.

French names Names meaning animal Names meaning strength Classic names Royal names

How popular is Napoleon?

20243.6 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 Napoleon in 202412

Peak year1880

Total US babies since 18807,787

Napoleon is fading: recent use is about 59% of its level ten years before.

Names like Napoleon

Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.

Theodoregift of God · Greek
Sebastianfrom Sebaste · Greek
Alexanderdefender of men · Greek
Lukefrom Lucania · Greek
Christopherbearer of Christ · Greek
Andrewmanly, brave · Greek
Theogod · Greek
Georgefarmer, earth-worker · Greek

Napoleon questions

What does the name Napoleon mean?

Napoleon means "lion of the valley". It comes from Greek. Napoleon is most associated with French use through Napoleon Bonaparte. Its etymology is debated, but a common traditional explanation connects it to Greek elements interpreted as 'lion' and 'valley'; the origin remains uncertain.

Is Napoleon a boy or girl name?

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

How popular is Napoleon?

12 US babies were named Napoleon in 2024. Its peak year was 1880.

How do you pronounce Napoleon?

Napoleon is usually pronounced nuh-POH-lee-un.

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.