Leo: Name Meaning, Origin, & Popularity

Boy name origins & meanings

What does Leo mean and stand for?

Meaning:

Greek: Lion
Latin: Lion
German: Lion-hearted, brave people
Italian: Fierce one from Naples
African American: Lion in a new city
Spanish: Holy oil used in church

Gender: Male

Syllables: 2

Pronunciation: The name Leo is pronounced lee-oh

The name Leo is of Greek origin and means "lion." It is also of German, Italian, African American, and Spanish origin, meaning close to the same. Leo is derived from the Latin word leo,a cognate of leon, which means "lion." It is also the name of a constellation and the fifth sign of the zodiac.

Boy name variations

Family name origins & meanings

Southern Italian: nickname for a fierce or brave warrior, from Latin leo "lion."

Italian: from a short form of the personal name Pantaleo.

Jewish: from the personal name Leo (from Latin leo "lion"), borrowed from Christians as an equivalent of Hebrew Yehuda (see Leib 3).

English: from the Old French personal name Leon "lion" (see Lyon 2).

Spanish: variant or derivative of the personal name Leon.

Dutch: from Latin leo "lion", applied either a nickname for a strong or fearless man or a habitational name for someone living at a house distinguished by the sign of a lion; or alternatively from a personal name of the same derivation.

German and Hungarian (Leó): Latinized form of Löwe (see Loewe).

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Leo in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

Leo McGarry from The West Wing - Leo is the White House Chief of Staff and a crucial confidant to the President.
Leo Valdez from The Heroes of Olympus - Leo is a demigod son of Hephaestus with a knack for inventing and machinery.
Leo Bloom from The Producers - Leo is a nervous accountant who partners with Max Bialystock to produce a Broadway flop.
Leo Fitz from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - Leo is a brilliant engineer and S.H.I.E.L.D. agent with a strong moral compass.
Leo Wyatt from Charmed - Leo is a Whitelighter who assists the Halliwell sisters in their fight against evil.

Popularity of the Name Leo

According to Social Security Administration data, Leo has seen a resurgence in popularity, consistently ranking in the top 50 names over the past decade. During 2023, it was within the 20 most popular names for boys in the United States. The name Leo has historical significance, with roots in Latin meaning "lion." It has been borne by several popes throughout history, such as Pope Leo I, known as Leo the Great, among 13 other popes.

In the realm of entertainment, notable figures named Leo include actor Leonardo DiCaprio and author Leo Tolstoy, famous for his novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina. Fictional characters named Leo have appeared in various media, such as in the animated series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the TV show Charmed. This combination of historical, literary, and pop culture references contributes to the name's enduring appeal.