Leo
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Lion — symbol of courage, royalty, and fierce protection
Origin: Latin — leo (lion), from Greek leon
Popularity: Ranked #19 in 2025 with 8,173 babies born.
History: Leo is one of the oldest and most powerful names in history — borne by 13 popes, Byzantine emperors, and saints across two millennia. Leonardo da Vinci's first name is its longer form. In modern times, Leonardo DiCaprio — who goes by Leo — has given the name enormous cultural cache. Leo has been one of the fastest-rising names in the Western world since the 2010s, reaching the top 10 in the U.S., UK, Australia, and most of Europe simultaneously. It is the rare name that feels both ancient and completely of the moment.
Famous people named Leo: Leonardo DiCaprio (actor), Leo Messi (soccer player), Leo Tolstoy (author)
Name length: 3 letters
How common is Leo? About 1 in 406 babies born in 2025 were named Leo, or roughly 22.5 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Leo
What does the name Leo mean?
Leo means “Lion — symbol of courage, royalty, and fierce protection” from Latin — leo (lion), from Greek leon roots.
What is the origin of the name Leo?
Leo has Latin — leo (lion), from Greek leon origin. The traditional meaning is “Lion — symbol of courage, royalty, and fierce protection”.
How popular is Leo?
Leo ranked #19 in 2025 — given to 8,173 babies that year.
When was Leo most popular?
Leo peaked in 2022 with 8,290 babies registered that year.
Is Leo a boy or girl name?
Leo is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Leos in registered births are male.
Is the name Leo rising or falling in popularity?
Leo has risen 4367 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #4386 in 2020 to #19 in 2025.
How long has Leo been recorded?
Leo appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.