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Leo

/LEE-oh/

Leo is a boy name of Latin origin, meaning Lion.

  • GenderBoy
  • OriginLatin
  • StyleModern
  • Syllables1
  • US rank#38

What does Leo mean?

Lion

From the Latin leo, "lion", itself borrowed from the Greek leon. It doubles as a short form of Leonard, Leopold and Leonardo.

The story behind the name

Thirteen popes have been called Leo, beginning with Leo the Great, who according to tradition met Attila the Hun outside Rome in 452 and talked him into turning back.

The name is also the zodiac sign and the constellation, which keeps it familiar in cultures that never used it as a given name.

Leo has risen sharply across Europe since the 1990s and is now a top-ten name in Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom, and a top-twenty name in the United States - short, warm, and pronounceable in almost every European language.

Notable people named Leo

  • Pope Leo the Great
  • Leo Tolstoy, novelist
  • Leo Fender, instrument maker

How popular is Leo?

Popularity in the United States

Leo has been given to 221,567 babies in the United States since 1880, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

About 1 in 229 babies born in the United States were given this name in the most recent year on record.

03,7517,501188019502020
Babies named Leo per year in the United States, 1880–2020. Source: Social Security Administration

Popularity in France

Leo has been given to 8,747 babies in France since 1990, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

08861,771199020062022
Babies named Leo per year in France, 1990–2022. Source: INSEE

Popularity in Spain

There are 28,057 people called Leo living in Spain, with an average age of 5.8.

221,567 Babies named since 1880
2010s Peak decade
Rising Recent trend

Variants and related names

Other spellings: Léo, Lev, Leon

Related names: Leon, Leonardo, Leopold, Lionel, Leonie

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Frequently asked questions about Leo

What does the name Leo mean?

Leo means Lion. It is of Latin origin.

Is Leo a boy's or a girl's name?

Leo is most often given to boys.

How do you pronounce Leo?

Leo is pronounced LEE-oh.

How popular is the name Leo?

Leo has been given to 221,567 babies in the United States since 1880, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

What are other spellings of Leo?

Common variants include Léo, Lev, Leon.