The nameLeo
Leo is a boy's name of Latin origin meaning "lion". Borne by fourteen popes, it is one of the fastest rising boys' names in Europe and the English-speaking world.
- Boy's name
- Latin
- Feast day
Meaning
Leo is the Latin word for "lion", borrowed from the Greek leon. The lion stands for strength, courage and royalty.
Origin
Latin. Leo was used in the early Church and as a short form of longer names such as Leonard, Leopold or Leon.
History
Pope Leo the Great, who met Attila in 452, made the name famous in Christian history. Fourteen popes have taken it, the latest being the American Robert Prevost, elected as Leo XIV in May 2025. Leo is the English name of the Russian writer Lev Tolstoy. Rare for most of the 20th century, it has become a top 10 name in England and Wales, Ireland, Austria and France.
Leo in other languages
Leo began as a short form of Leon, Leonard or Leopold. It is Léo in French, Leo in German, Italian and the Nordic countries, León in Spanish and Lev in Russian, the real first name of Leo Tolstoy.
Did you know?
- Leo XIV, elected in May 2025, is the first pope born in the United States.
- Leo and Lev, the Russian first name of Tolstoy, both mean "lion".
- Leonardo DiCaprio, known as Leo, won the Oscar for Best Actor in 2016 for The Revenant.
Famous people named Leo
- Saint Leo the Great, pope
- Pope Leo XIV
- Leo Tolstoy, writer
Popularity of the name Leo
Leo in the United States
Leo was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 44,821 births over the decade, 18% of all recorded babies named Leo. Its rise began around 1911, and it peaked in 2022. Half of all babies named Leo in the United States were born before 1955, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 7,880 births a year on average, against 6,044 in the five years before.
Leo in the United Kingdom
Leo was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 36,116 births over the decade, 49% of all recorded babies named Leo. Its rise began around 2001, and it peaked in 2017. Half of all babies named Leo in the United Kingdom were born before 2016, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 3,806 births a year.
Leo in Ireland
Leo in France
Leo in Belgium
Leo in Switzerland
Leo in Austria
Leo in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Leo
Names from the same generation as Leo, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Leo? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Leo with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Leo side by side with the name of your choice.
Leo in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Leo mean?
Leo is the Latin word for "lion", borrowed from the Greek leon. The lion stands for strength, courage and royalty.
What is the origin of the name Leo?
Latin. Leo was used in the early Church and as a short form of longer names such as Leonard, Leopold or Leon.
Is Leo a girl's or a boy's name?
Leo is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Leo?
In 2024, Leo was the 24th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 7,793 births.
What are the variants of the name Leo?
Variants and related names of Leo include Leon and Leona.
What are good sibling names for Leo?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Aurora, Emilia, Eleanor and Camila for a sister, August, Asher, Roman and Ezekiel for a brother.
Who are famous people named Leo?
Saint Leo the Great, pope; Pope Leo XIV; Leo Tolstoy, writer.