Leno

♂ Boy

Pronounced LEH-noh /ˈlɛ.noʊ/Medium

Meaning: Leno is a short Italian-style name. It works as a clipped form of names ending in -leno or -eno (Filomeno, Moreno) and is also heard simply as a cousin of Leo, Latin for 'lion'. It is best known in America as a surname. Routes are uncertain, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: Leno is a short Italian-flavored name — a clipped Filomeno, or simply a cousin of Leo (said 'LEH-noh'). Routes are uncertain, which we note.

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Origin LowItalian, American

MeaningLeno is a short Italian-style name. It works as a clipped form of names ending in -leno or -eno (Filomeno, Moreno) and is also heard simply as a cousin of Leo, Latin for 'lion'. It is best known in America as a surname. Routes are uncertain, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#13385 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1921

Total births (all-time)≈ 651

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Leno reads as an Italian clipping — the tail of names such as Filomeno or Moreno — and, to many American ears, as a two-beat cousin of Leo, from Latin leo, 'lion'. It is far better known in the U.S. as a surname than as a given name. Routes are uncertain, which we note (said 'LEH-noh').

It is very rare as a first name in the U.S. Rare, short, and easy.

Did you know? In Italian, long names often shed their fronts: Filomeno becomes Leno, Vincenzo becomes Enzo. Leno also reads as a plain relative of Leo, the lion; routes are uncertain, which we note.

Overall data confidence 30%

References — Leno — Italian clipping / Leo-adjacent; better known as a surname; routes uncertain

Variations

LinoLeoLenno

Nicknames

LenLeo

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Leno…

Leo— the lion name it stands beside

Nino— a like short Italian pick

Enzo— a like Italian clipping

Jino— lands in the same popularity range

Mino— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Leno

By themeuncertain short italian

By meaningLion

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Leno mean?

Leno reads as an Italian clipping of names like Filomeno, or as a cousin of Leo, Latin for 'lion'. Routes are uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Leno?

It's said LEH-noh /ˈlɛ.noʊ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Leno a boy or girl name?

Leno is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Leno?

Leno is a very rare first name for boys in the U.S.