The nameLeon
Leon is a boy's name of Greek origin meaning "lion". A favourite in Germany and Croatia, it is popular in Britain too.
- Boy's name
- Greek
- Feast day
Meaning
Leon comes from the Greek leōn, "lion".
Origin
Greek, through Latin. Leo and Leon are two forms of the same word, and many popes chose the name Leo.
History
Leon is one of the leading names in Germany and Croatia. It reached the top 60 in England and Wales. Léon is the French form.
Leon in other languages
Léon is the French form of Leon, used in English, German and Polish. It is Leone in Italian, León in Spanish, Leão in Portuguese and Lev in Russian. Its short form Léo is now given even more often in France.
Nicknames for Leon
The most common nicknames for Leon: Leo.
Did you know?
- At the Paris 2024 Olympics, the French swimmer Léon Marchand won four individual gold medals.
- During the siege of Paris in 1870, Léon Gambetta escaped from the city in a balloon.
Famous people named Leon
- Leon Trotsky, revolutionary
- Leon Goretzka, footballer
- Leon Bridges, singer
- Léon Marchand, swimmer
Popularity of the name Leon
Leon in the United States
Leon was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 25,891 births over the decade, 14% of all recorded babies named Leon. Its rise began around 1900, and it peaked in 1924. Half of all babies named Leon in the United States were born before 1948, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 2,302 births a year on average, against 1,488 in the five years before.
Leon in the United Kingdom
Leon was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 9,971 births over the decade, 39% of all recorded babies named Leon. Half of all babies named Leon in the United Kingdom were born before 2010, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 653 births a year on average, against 785 in the five years before.
Leon in Ireland
Leon in France
Leon in Belgium
Leon in Switzerland
Leon in Austria
Leon in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Leon
Names from the same generation as Leon, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Leon? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Leon with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Leon side by side with the name of your choice.
Leon in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Leon mean?
Leon comes from the Greek leōn, "lion".
What is the origin of the name Leon?
Greek, through Latin. Leo and Leon are two forms of the same word, and many popes chose the name Leo.
Is Leon a girl's or a boy's name?
Leon is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Leon?
In 2024, Leon was the 141st most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 2,547 births.
What are the variants of the name Leon?
Variants and related names of Leon include Leo, Leona, Leone, Leonie, Léonne, Leontine and Lionel.
What are good sibling names for Leon?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Catalina, Iris, Athena and Elena for a sister, Rory, Amir, Jasper and Arthur for a brother.
What are common nicknames for Leon?
The most common nicknames for Leon are Leo.
Who are famous people named Leon?
Leon Trotsky, revolutionary; Leon Goretzka, footballer; Leon Bridges, singer; Léon Marchand, swimmer.