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    The first name Leon

    A boy’s name from Latin meaning “lion”.

    Pronounced /ˈli.ɑn/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Latin origin

    Leon means “lion” in Latin.

    Ultimately from Latin Leo and leo (“lion”), from Ancient Greek Λέων (Léōn) and λέων (léōn, “lion”), likely ultimately from a non-Indo-European language. Sometimes via other related languages such as French Léon and sometimes as a diminutive of related names such as Leonard and Leonardo.

    More names that mean lion.

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 526 boys were named Leon, making it the 101st most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2010, with 1,204 births (#60).

    01,0002,000 1996200020052010201520202025
    22,834
    babies named Leon, 1996–2025
    #101
    rank in 2025
    2010
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Leon with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Leon at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 2,583 boys born in the United States were named Leon, the 138th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1924, when 2,677 were.

    01,5003,000 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    184,074
    babies named Leon since 1880
    #138
    rank in 2025
    1924
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Nicknames and spellings

    Other spellings and forms

    Famous people named Leon

    322 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Léon Foucault
      French physicist (1819–1868)
    • Leon M. Lederman
      American mathematician and physicist, 1922–2018
    • Leon Cooper
      American physicist (1930–2024)
    • Léon Blum
      French politician (1872–1950)
    • Léon Bourgeois
      French statesman (1851-1925)
    • Leon Goretzka
      German association football player, born 1995
    • Léon Gambetta
      French politician (1838-1882)
    • Léon Jouhaux
      French trade unionist (1879–1954)
    • Léon Walras
      French mathematical economist (*1834 – †1910)
    • Leon Panetta
      American politician, Secretary of Defense 2011–2013
    • Léon Marchand
      French swimmer, born 2002
    • Léon Degrelle
      Belgian journalist, politician, SS soldier, fugitive (1906-1994)

    More Latin boys’ names

    All 381 names of Latin origin

    Questions

    What does the name Leon mean?
    Leon means “lion” in Latin.
    What is the origin of the name Leon?
    Ultimately from Latin Leo and leo (“lion”), from Ancient Greek Λέων (Léōn) and λέων (léōn, “lion”), likely ultimately from a non-Indo-European language. Sometimes via other related languages such as French Léon and sometimes as a diminutive of related names such as Leonard and Leonardo.
    How popular is the name Leon?
    In 2025, 526 boys born in England and Wales were named Leon, ranking 101st. Its peak was 2010, with 1,204 births.
    Is Leon a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 184,074 US babies named Leon since 1880 were boys.
    When was Leon most popular?
    1924 in the United States, when 2,677 babies were named Leon, its highest rank at 76th.
    How do you pronounce Leon?
    Leon is /ˈli.ɑn/, 2 syllables.
    What are other spellings of Leon?
    León and Léon.
    Is Leon also a surname?
    Yes. Leon is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.