Mostly boys · Latin

Leo

“lion”

Say it LEE-ohPronunciation may vary by region.

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A little maybe, saved for later.

The story behind the name

Meet Leo.

Leo is a strong-yet-friendly name that was common among the Romans, used for fourteen popes, and is now at its highest point ever in the US. Brave but sparky, Leo has ranked in the Top 20 in the US, England and Wales, Armenia, Australia, Slovenia, Germany, Spain and beyond.

Derived from the Latin meaning "lion", Leo is one of those names, like Luke and Finn, that many people assume must be short for something but that is authentically a complete name in its own right. That said, Leo can but short for any number of names, from Leonardo in Latinate languages to Leon and Leopold in Germanic languages. We've even heard of little girl Leonoras and Leonies called Leo: How cute is that?

Leo's simplicity makes it an international star, ranking in the Top 100 in countries as diverse as Ireland and Israel, Spain and Sweden, Austria and Australia. Leo is a truly diverse name, a perfect choice for any family crossing countries or blending cultures.

A little perspective

How popular is Leo?

United States · 2025
Girls · 2025#5,49223 recorded births
Boys · 2025#198,173 recorded births

Recorded US births over time

201420258,2930
● Girls● Boys
View the numbers behind the chart
YearCategoryUS rankBirths
2025Boys198,173
2025Girls5,49223
2024Boys247,823
2024Girls6,55018
2023Boys188,160
2023Girls4,81828
2022Boys228,293
2022Girls4,42332
2021Boys317,803
2021Girls4,37332
2020Boys367,229
2020Girls4,40531
2019Boys407,504
2019Girls5,72322
2018Boys506,773
2018Girls6,41019
2017Boys625,965
2017Girls6,97917
2016Boys745,299
2016Girls8,67913
2015Boys914,603
2015Girls9,87211
2014Boys973,976
2014Girls7,50616

Rankings are calculated separately for boys and girls. Records below the publication threshold may be missing; gaps are not zero births.

A few ways to make it theirs.

Nicknames

No nicknames are listed yet. The name can stand beautifully on its own.

Variations & related forms

LeãoLéoLeoneLeonelloLeonzioLevLeosLioLeeLeibLeibelLeon

Keep the possibilities coming

If you love Leo…

More names with a similar feeling or shared roots.