Leonard
Leonard is a boys' name of German origin meaning “brave as a lion.” It ranked #637 in the United States in 2025. Derived from Old High German 'Leonhard,' composed of 'leo' (lion) and 'hard' (brave, strong).
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how do you pronounce Leonard?
LEN-erd
where does the name Leonard come from?
The name of a 6th-century Frankish saint, from an element meaning lion, or perhaps person, with hard, brave or strong.
Saint Leonard of Noblac is the patron saint of prisoners and was widely venerated in medieval Europe.
how popular is this name?
Leonard has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #37 in 1923, and ranked #637 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #637 |
| 2024 | #670 |
| 2023 | #692 |
| 2022 | #707 |
| 2021 | #650 |
| 2020 | #635 |
| 2019 | #614 |
| 2018 | #635 |
| 2017 | #605 |
| 2016 | #598 |
| 2010 | #626 |
| 2000 | #508 |
| 1990 | #292 |
| 1980 | #193 |
| 1970 | #144 |
| 1960 | #113 |
| 1950 | #77 |
| 1940 | #54 |
| 1930 | #45 |
| 1923 | #37 |
| 1920 | #38 |
| 1910 | #46 |
| 1900 | #54 |
| 1890 | #67 |
| 1880 | #78 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Leonard fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Leonard
Leonard is a common English surname and given name, and it has also anglicized the Irish surname Ó Leannáin, Lennon.
who are famous people named Leonard?
- Leonard Cohen (musician)
- Leonard Nimoy (actor)
- Leonardo da Vinci (artist/polymath)
what are the nicknames and variants of Leonard?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Leonard?
what names go well with Leonard?
Sibling names that share Leonard's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Leonard
What does the name Leonard mean?
Leonard means “brave as a lion”.
What is the origin of the name Leonard?
Leonard comes from the German naming tradition. Related forms include Leonardo and Lennard.
How popular is the name Leonard?
Leonard ranked #637 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1923, at #37, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Leonard a boy or girl name?
Leonard is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Leonard?
Leonard is pronounced LEN-erd, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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