"son of the lion"
Origin: Greek
Language: Ancient Greek
Leonidas
Pronunciation: [ l-ee-AWN-ihd-uhz ]
Does Leonidas flow with your last name?
Spartan king, lion-hearted legacy
Greek
American
Spanish
European
Strong
Royal
Bold
Classical
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Meaning & Origin
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Leonidas
See all →What the Leonidas report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Leonidas the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with the film '300' (2006) and the glorified depiction of Spartan militarism — some may find this problematic
- The film's association may lead to 'THIS IS SPARTA!' jokes
The Story of Leonidas
Leonidas is an ancient Greek name meaning 'son of the lion' — derived from 'leon' (lion) and the patronymic suffix '-idas.' It is best known as the name of the Spartan king who led 300 warriors against the Persian army at the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC, becoming one of history's most celebrated military martyrs.
Leonidas saw a significant pop-culture boost from Zack Snyder's film '300' (2006), and has continued rising as parents seek grand, ancient-heroic names that can be shortened to the popular Leo.
Leonidas is a national hero of Greece; his sacrifice at Thermopylae is considered a cornerstone of Western civilization's concept of freedom over tyranny.
Historical Record
Leonidas first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 9,146 babies have been named Leonidas in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Leonidas is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #509 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC) where Leonidas fell is one of the most famous last stands in military history.
- Leonidas is a beloved Belgian chocolate brand, named after the founder Leonidas Kestekides.
- In modern Greece, Leonidas remains a respected traditional name and is the name of several notable athletes.
Leonidas in Other Languages
Greek
Λεωνίδας
Latin
Leonidas
Italian
Leonida
Spanish
Leónidas
Popularity Over Time
#509
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Leonidas
L
Leônidas da Silva
Athlete
1913
Brazilian football legend known as the 'Black Diamond,' 1938 World Cup top scorer
L
Leonidas of Sparta
Military
Spartan king who led 300 warriors at the Battle of Thermopylae against Xerxes' Persian army
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #509
- Total SSA Count
- 597
- Cultural Origins
- Greek American Spanish European
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Leo
Leon
Lenny
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Leonidas
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Leonidas fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Leonidas →Compare Leonidas with...
Same Origin Names (Greek)
See all Greek names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Leonidas
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Leonidas and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Leonidas sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Reese
Boy
Old Welsh origin
"passionate, fiery one"
#621 in US
Malik
Boy
Classical Arabic origin
"sovereign, owner"
#430 in US
Zander
Boy
Ancient Greek origin
"protector of mankind"
#379 in US
Mylo
Boy
Old High German (mild) origin
"merciful, gentle"
#643 in US
Danny
Boy
Hebrew (Daniyel) origin
"God is my judge"
#642 in US
Azael
Boy
Hebrew origin
"God has helped"
#657 in US
Zakai
Boy
Aramaic origin
"declared innocent, acquitted"
#603 in US
Maximilian
Boy
Latin (Maximus) origin
"the greatest"
#587 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Leonidas's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leonidas
What does the name Leonidas mean?
"son of the lion" (from Greek). Leonidas is an ancient Greek name meaning 'son of the lion' — derived from 'leon' (lion) and the patronymic suffix '-idas.' It is best known as the name of the Spartan king who led 300 warriors against the Persian army at the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC, becoming one of history's most celebrated military martyrs.
What is the origin of the name Leonidas?
Leonidas has Greek, American, Spanish, and European origins. In Greek, it means "son of the lion".
Is Leonidas a boy or girl name?
Leonidas is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Leonidas?
Leonidas is pronounced l-ee-AWN-ihd-uhz.
How popular is the name Leonidas?
Leonidas is currently ranked #509 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Leonidas?
Common nicknames for Leonidas include Leo, Leon, and Lenny.
What are good middle names for Leonidas?
Popular middle name pairings include Leonidas James, Leonidas Alexander, Leonidas Marcus, Leonidas Constantine, Leonidas Theodore, Leonidas Victor, and Leonidas Augustus.
What are good sibling names for Leonidas?
Names that pair well with Leonidas as siblings include Alexander, Maximus, Constantine, Athena, Lyra, Calliope, and Thalia.
How many syllables does Leonidas have?
Leonidas has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Leonidas a common or rare name?
Leonidas is moderately common, ranked #509 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What boy names are similar to Leonidas?
About the Name Leonidas
Leonidas is a boy name with Greek, American, Spanish, and European origins . The name means "son of the lion" in Greek .
Leonidas is currently ranked #509 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Leonidas has 4 syllables and is pronounced l-ee-AWN-ihd-uhz, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Leonidas include Leo, Leon, and Lenny. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Leonidas include Leonardo, Leon, Leonel, Leonard, Leonid . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Greek Names
Browse all names with this origin
L
Names Starting with L
More boy names like Leonidas
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
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