"lion"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Leo
Pronunciation: [ l-EE-oh ]
Does Leo flow with your last name?
The lion's strength, reimagined for girls
English
Italian
Spanish
German
Scandinavian
Bold
Strong
Modern
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"lion-hearted"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
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The Story of Leo
Leo comes from the Latin word for lion, which has roots in the Greek leon. It has been a beloved masculine name throughout history — borne by 13 popes and countless kings — but in the 2020s it began crossing over as a name for girls, joining a growing list of traditionally male names embraced by parents wanting strength and brevity for their daughters. Leo as a girl's name carries all the bold energy of a lion with a fresh, gender-fluid sensibility.
Leo for girls is part of a significant trend that began around 2015-2020, when names like Elliott, Emmett, and James started appearing on girls. Leo became fashionable for girls particularly in Scandinavia and in creative communities in the United States and UK.
In astrology, Leo (July 23 - Aug 22) is the sign of the lion, associated with confidence, creativity, and leadership. Naming a girl Leo can be seen as a direct claim to those traits. It also carries the legacy of 13 popes and countless historical figures.
Historical Record
Leo first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 541 babies have been named Leo in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Leo is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #6,600 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- There have been 13 popes named Leo, making it one of the most papal names in history
- Leo is the fifth sign of the zodiac, associated with royalty and the sun
- Leo entered the top 200 names for girls in Sweden in the early 2020s
Leo in Other Languages
Greek
Leon
Latin
Leo
French
Leo
German
Leo
Italian
Leo
Spanish
Leo
Popularity Over Time
#6,600
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Leo with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #6,600
- Total SSA Count
- 18
- Cultural Origins
- English Italian Spanish German Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Leo
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Leo is also used as a boy name, ranked #24.
View Leo as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Leo →Compare Leo with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Leo
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Germanic origin
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Slavic origin
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Mattison
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English origin
"son of Matthew, gift of God"
#6,497 in US
Dea
Girl
Proto-Indo-European origin
"divine being"
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Elda
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Germanic origin
"noble warrior, battle princess"
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English origin
"female heir, inheritor"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Leo
What does the name Leo mean?
"lion" (from Latin). "lion-hearted" (from Greek). Leo comes from the Latin word for lion, which has roots in the Greek leon. It has been a beloved masculine name throughout history — borne by 13 popes and countless kings — but in the 2020s it began crossing over as a name for girls, joining a growing list of traditionally male names embraced by parents wanting strength and brevity for their daughters. Leo as a girl's name carries all the bold energy of a lion with a fresh, gender-fluid sensibility.
What is the origin of the name Leo?
Leo has Latin, Greek, English, Italian, Spanish, German, and Scandinavian origins. In Latin, it means "lion". In Greek, it means "lion-hearted".
Is Leo a boy or girl name?
Leo is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #6600. As a boy name, it is ranked #24. Leo is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Leo?
Leo is pronounced l-EE-oh.
How popular is the name Leo?
Leo is currently ranked #6600 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Leo?
Popular middle name pairings include Leo Rose, Leo Grace, Leo Mae, Leo Pearl, Leo Jane, and Leo Vivienne.
What are good sibling names for Leo?
Names that pair well with Leo as siblings include Felix, Cleo, Juno, Cy, Arlo, and Wren.
How many syllables does Leo have?
Leo has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Leo a common or rare name?
Leo is an uncommon name, ranked #6600 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Leo?
About the Name Leo
Leo is a girl name with English, Italian, Spanish, German, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "lion" in Latin .
Is Leo a boy or girl name? Leo is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #6,600 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #24. Leo is more commonly used as a boy name.
Leo is currently ranked #6,600 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Leo has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-EE-oh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Leo include Leona, Leora, Leonor, Leonora, Leonie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis