Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Leone
UnisexItalian, Latin· “lion”
- Meaning
- lion
- Origin
- Italian, Latin
- Pronunciation
- lee-OHN
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #4,204
- US babies 2025
- 25
- Best rank
- #2,763 (1928)
- Peak year
- 2023
Meaning and origin of Leone
Leone is an Italian and Latin name that means “lion”.
Leone is the Italian word for lion and an Italian name from the Latin leo. It is also used in English as a variant of Leona or Leon, which share the lion root. Sierra Leone, the West African country, takes its name from Portuguese words meaning lion mountains, and the film director Sergio Leone made the surname famous in cinema. In Italian it is said leh-OH-neh, but in English it is usually lee-OHN or lee-OH-nee. The name works for boys and girls in the United States. Leo and Leonie are close relatives if you want a more familiar option.
Popularity over time
Leone first appears in US Social Security records in 1914. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,763 in 1928, and the most babies received it in 2023, when 25 were named Leone. In 2025, 25 babies were named Leone, and it ranked #4,204 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #3,374 in 1920, #7,924 in 2010, and #4,204 in 2025. Of the 455 US boys named Leone since records began, 34% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 135 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Jona, Carin, Sun, Chi, and Starling.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Leone ranked highest in Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | #1994 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Leone is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 26% of US babies named Leone were girls and 74% were boys.
Leone is usually pronounced lee-OHN, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with L and ends in “-ne”.
Middle names for Leone
A few middle names that flow with Leone: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Leone
Similar names
Carmine Boy
KAHR-myn
“from Carmel; also crimson” · Italian
#1,035
Divine Unisex
dih-VYN
“godly, heavenly” · English
#1,888
Vivianne Girl
VIH-vee-an
“alive” · French
#1,776
Sabine Girl
suh-BEEN
“Sabine woman” · French
#2,151
Celine Girl
suh-LEEN
“possibly heavenly” · French
#207
Paola Girl
pah-OH-luh
“small” · Italian
#1,260
Christine Girl
krihs-TEEN
“follower of Christ” · French
#1,274
Rene Boy
ruh-NAY
“reborn” · French
#1,092
Chiara Girl
KYAHR-uh
“bright, clear” · Italian
#1,066
Alba Girl
AL-buh
“white; dawn” · Latin
#1,261
Diane Girl
dy-AN
“French form of Diana; divine” · French
#2,620
Pia Girl
PEE-uh
“pious, devout” · Latin
#1,456
Lists that include Leone
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Leone mean?
Leone is an Italian and Latin name that means “lion”.
What is the origin of the name Leone?
Leone has Italian and Latin roots. Leone is the Italian word for lion and an Italian name from the Latin leo.
Is Leone a popular name?
Not especially. Leone ranked #4,204 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Leone a boy or girl name?
Leone is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 26% of US babies named Leone were girls and 74% were boys.
How do you pronounce Leone?
Leone is usually pronounced lee-OHN. 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