Leona
Leona is a girls' name of Latin origin meaning “lioness.” It ranked #429 in the United States in 2025. The feminine form of Leo or Leon, derived from Latin 'leo' meaning lion.
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how do you pronounce Leona?
lee-OH-nuh
where does the name Leona come from?
A female name from the Latin leo, lion.
It evokes strength and nobility and was common in early Christian communities who admired the lion as a symbol of courage.
how popular is this name?
Leona has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 119 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 27. It peaked at #69 in 1904, and ranked #429 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #429 |
| 2024 | #487 |
| 2023 | #520 |
| 2022 | #531 |
| 2021 | #515 |
| 2020 | #483 |
| 2019 | #510 |
| 2018 | #508 |
| 2017 | #547 |
| 2016 | #595 |
| 2010 | #988 |
| 1980 | #902 |
| 1970 | #609 |
| 1960 | #455 |
| 1950 | #298 |
| 1940 | #183 |
| 1930 | #130 |
| 1920 | #89 |
| 1910 | #79 |
| 1904 | #69 |
| 1900 | #85 |
| 1890 | #120 |
| 1880 | #119 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Leona fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named Leona?
- Leona Lewis (singer)
- Leona Helmsley (businesswoman)
what are the nicknames and variants of Leona?
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Leona?
what names go well with Leona?
Sibling names that share Leona's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Leona
What does the name Leona mean?
Leona means “lioness”.
What is the origin of the name Leona?
Leona comes from the Latin naming tradition. Related forms include Leonie.
How popular is the name Leona?
Leona ranked #429 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1904, at #69, and it has spent 119 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Leona a boy or girl name?
Leona is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Leona?
Leona is pronounced lee-OH-nuh, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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