Leo
Leo is a boys' name of Latin origin meaning “lion.” It ranked #16 in the United States in 2025. Leo means 'lion' in Latin and is also a zodiac sign.
how do you pronounce Leo?
LEE-oh
Hear it spoken aloud with our AI pronunciation tool.
what does Leo mean?
The name Leo means “lion.” It comes from the Latin language tradition.
Leo means 'lion' in Latin and is also a zodiac sign. Thirteen popes have taken the name. Its punchy one-syllable sound, strong meaning, and international appeal have propelled it into the top 20 across multiple countries.
where does the name Leo come from?
The Latin word for lion, used directly as a personal name without adaptation. It is also the constellation and zodiac sign, and the source of Leon, Leonard, Leonardo and Lionel, all of which build on the same animal.
the history of Leo
Thirteen popes have been called Leo, beginning with Leo the Great, who according to tradition met Attila in 452 and persuaded him to turn back from Rome. Leo Tolstoy carried it into literature. Its modern revival is broad rather than national: it now ranks highly in Britain, Germany, Scandinavia and the United States at the same time.
how popular is this name?
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2024 | #16 |
| 2023 | #19 |
| 2022 | #22 |
| 2021 | #32 |
| 2020 | #36 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset
what are the nicknames and variants of Leo?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
who are famous people named Leo?
- Leonardo da Vinci (Renaissance polymath)
- Leo Tolstoy (Russian novelist)
- Leonardo DiCaprio (American actor)
what names are similar to Leo?
what names go well with Leo?
Sibling names that share Leo's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
Last reviewed April 30, 2026 · Curated by HushName editorial
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