Leon

♂ Boy

Pronounced LEE-on /ˈliː.ɒn/High

Meaning: Lion — from Greek leōn and Latin leoHigh

In 30 seconds: Bold, simple, and ancient, Leon means 'lion' from the Greek and Latin. Borne by thirteen popes and countless heroes, this compact two-syllable name is having a brilliant European-inspired comeback in the U.S.

💕 Browse more names

Origin HighGreek, Latin

MeaningLion — from Greek leōn and Latin leo

U.S. rank (2025)#138 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births2,583 boys (0.15% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1924

Total births (all-time)≈ 182,605

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

Leon is the Greek form of Leo, from the Greek leōn and Latin leo, both meaning 'lion.' The lion was a royal symbol of strength and courage in ancient cultures. The name was popular in the Roman Empire and spread with Christianity through the church's many popes named Leo.

Leon was widespread in medieval Europe and remained popular in various forms (Leo, León, Léon). In the U.S. it had a popularity peak in the early 20th century, then declined before staging a strong revival from the 2010s. It is now a popular boys' name in several European countries and trending sharply upward in the U.S.

Did you know? Thirteen popes have borne the name Leo/Leon, the most of any papal name alongside John. Pope Leo the Great (440–461 AD) famously persuaded Attila the Hun to turn back from Rome in 452 AD.

Variations

LeoLeopoldLeonelLéon

Nicknames

Lee

Famous Bearers

★Leon Trotsky (1879–1940)
Russian revolutionary and Marxist theorist, key figure in the Russian Revolution.

If you like Leon…

Leo— the one-syllable root form — equally popular and bold

Luca— fashionable two-syllable European name with the same effortless cool

Julian— elegant classic with the same Latin-root European heritage

Oscar— another short, strong name with Old World heritage and modern flair

Explore names like Leon

By meaningLion

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Leon mean?

Leon means 'lion,' from the Greek leōn and Latin leo — a symbol of strength, courage, and royalty.

How do you pronounce Leon?

Leon is pronounced LEE-on /ˈliː.ɒn/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Leon a boy or girl name?

Leon is a traditional boy's name. The feminine form is Leona or Leonore.

How popular is Leon?

Leon is experiencing a strong revival and is now a name of growing popularity in several European countries, with increasing recognition in the U.S.