Leo

Q: What is the origin of Leo?

Leo is of Latin origin. The name carries significant cultural meaning and has been used across generations within its origin tradition.

Q: Is Leo a boy name?

Leo is traditionally a boy name. Modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal choice and cultural context.

male

Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Lion"

From Latin for lion, it has long use through Roman naming and multiple papal and saintly bearers.

Themes:lionromansaint

Biblical Classic Traditional Timeless

Fact-checked by Dr. Elena Vasquez

Ph.D. Medieval History, StanfordPublished Academic ResearcherHistory Professor (Adjunct) • Historical Names Consultant

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Leo

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#24Top 50

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Year

Selected Year Rank

#24

Leo was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year

-6

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Leo Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Leo.

10 ideas

Lee

Nickname

Lio

Nickname

leoy

Nickname

leon

Nickname

leo

Nickname

ley

Nickname

Similar Names to Leo

male

Anthony

AN-thuh-nee

“Priceless; Invaluable”

#44

|Latin

male

Andrew

AN-droo

“Manly; Strong”

#68

|Greek

male

Alexander

al-ig-ZAN-der

“Defender of Men”

#27

|Greek

male

Aaron

AIR-un

“Exalted; Mountain of Strength”

#79

|Hebrew

male

Adam

AD-um

“Human, Earth”

#100

|Hebrew

male

Arthur

AR-ther

“Bear Man”

#105

|Celtic

male

Austin

AW-stun

“Great, Venerable”

#107

|Latin

male

Alex

“Defender”

#205

|Greek

male

Adrian

AY-dree-un

“From Hadria”

#72

|Latin

male

Angel

“Messenger”

#63

|Greek

Baby Name Lists That Include Leo

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Leo, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

19 linked lists

Famous Leos

L
Leo Tolstoy
Russian novelist and author of War and Peace and Anna Karenina
L
Leonardo da Vinci
Italian Renaissance polymath, artist and scientist

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Leo mean?

Leo means "Lion". From Latin for lion, it has long use through Roman naming and multiple papal and saintly bearers.

What is the origin of Leo?

Leo is of Latin origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.

How popular is the name Leo?

According to the latest SSA data, Leo is currently ranked #24 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.

Is Leo a boy name?

Leo is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.

What are good nicknames for Leo?

Popular nicknames for Leo include Lee, Lio, leoy, ly, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.

What names are similar to Leo?

There are many names similar to Leo in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginLatin

Syllables1

Length3 letters

US Rank#24

Trend↓ Falling

Starts withL

Sibling Ideas

Brothers

Anthony Julian Lucas Miles Austin

Sisters

Aurora Camila Emily Emilia Grace

Explore More Boy Names Like Leo

Leo has Latin roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Latin baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Leo appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Timeless Classic Baby Names and Biblical Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Latin Baby Names and Names That Mean Miracle And Blessing for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Leo pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Leo beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.