Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Leo
BoyLatin· “lion”
- Meaning
- lion
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- LEE-oh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #19
- US babies 2025
- 8,173
- Best rank
- #18 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Leo
Leo is a Latin name that means “lion”.
Leo is the Latin word for lion. It was carried by early Christians and by many popes, including Saint Leo the Great, who led the church in the fifth century. The constellation and zodiac sign Leo give it a celestial link as well. The novelist Leo Tolstoy, whose Russian name was Lev, is another famous bearer. For a time Leo was mostly heard as a nickname for Leonard or Leopold, but it has become popular as a full name, short and warm with a bold meaning. It suits a baby and an adult equally well.
Popularity over time
Leo has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #18 in 2023, and the most babies received it in 2022, when 8,293 were named Leo. In 2025, 8,173 babies were named Leo, and it ranked #19 nationally. That is 78% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #48 in 1920, #160 in 1950, #367 in 1980, #388 in 2000, #191 in 2010, and #19 in 2025. Of the 259,988 US boys named Leo since records began, 18% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 44,706 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Asher, Maverick, Levi, Ezekiel, and Kai.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Leo ranked highest in Illinois, Minnesota, and South Dakota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | #8 | 385 |
| Minnesota | #9 | 207 |
| South Dakota | #9 | 40 |
| New York | #11 | 625 |
| New Jersey | #13 | 298 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Leo is usually pronounced LEE-oh, with two syllables. It has three letters, starts with L and ends in “-eo”.
Middle names for Leo
A few middle names that flow with Leo: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Leo
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Lists that include Leo
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Leo mean?
Leo is a Latin name that means “lion”.
What is the origin of the name Leo?
Leo has Latin roots. Leo is the Latin word for lion.
Is Leo a popular name?
Yes. Leo ranked #19 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Leo a boy or girl name?
Leo is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Leo?
Leo is usually pronounced LEE-oh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings