The nameLeonard
Leonard is a strong classic boy's name meaning "brave as a lion". It was a top 40 name in America in the 1920s.
- Boy's name
- Germanic
- Feast day
Meaning
Leonard comes from the Germanic leon, "lion", and hard, "brave, strong".
Origin
Germanic, with a Latin first element.
History
Saint Leonard of Noblac, a 6th century hermit, is the patron of prisoners. Leonard reached 37th place in the United States in 1923. Leonardo da Vinci carries the Italian form.
Did you know?
- Leonard Bernstein wrote the music of West Side Story, first staged on Broadway in 1957.
- Leonard Cohen wrote Hallelujah, released in 1984 on the album Various Positions.
Famous people named Leonard
- Leonard Bernstein, composer and conductor
- Leonard Cohen, singer and poet
- Leonard Nimoy, actor
- Sugar Ray Leonard, boxer
Popularity of the name Leonard
Leonard in the United States
Leonard was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 54,111 births over the decade, 18% of all recorded babies named Leonard. Its rise began around 1908, and it peaked in 1921. Half of all babies named Leonard in the United States were born before 1942, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 400 births a year.
Leonard in the United Kingdom
Leonard was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 1,796 births over the decade, 47% of all recorded babies named Leonard. Half of all babies named Leonard in the United Kingdom were born before 2017, 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 215 births a year.
Leonard in Ireland
Leonard in France
Leonard in Belgium
Leonard in Switzerland
Leonard in Austria
Leonard in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Leonard
Names from the same generation as Leonard, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Leonard? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Leonard with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Leonard side by side with the name of your choice.
Leonard in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Leonard mean?
Leonard comes from the Germanic leon, "lion", and hard, "brave, strong".
What is the origin of the name Leonard?
Germanic, with a Latin first element.
Is Leonard a girl's or a boy's name?
Leonard is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Leonard?
In 2024, Leonard was the 674th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 404 births.
What are the variants of the name Leonard?
Variants and related names of Leonard include Lenard and Lenny.
What are good sibling names for Leonard?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Irene, Hana, Eileen and Lara for a sister, Frederick, Alonso, Hugo and Rudy for a brother.
Who are famous people named Leonard?
Leonard Bernstein, composer and conductor; Leonard Cohen, singer and poet; Leonard Nimoy, actor; Sugar Ray Leonard, boxer.