Leonard
Leonard: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈlɛnɚd/
Meaning and origin of Leonard
Root meaning: “lion”
- A male given name from the Germanic languages.
- A surname transferred from the given name.
Etymology
From Old French Leonard, name of a 6th century Frankish saint, from Old High German leo (“lion”) or Old High German liut (“person”) and hart (“hard”). As a surname, also used as an anglicisation of Irish Ó Leannáin (Lennon).
How popular is Leonard?
Since 1880, 1,412 girls and 294,334 boys in the U.S. have been named Leonard (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1184 in 1928. Its highest rank for boys was #37 in 1923. In 2025 it ranked #637 for boys, with 438 babies given the name.
Names similar to Leonard
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Germanic boy names
Sibling name ideas for Leonard
Sister and brother names that share Leonard's Germanic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Leonard FAQ
What does the name Leonard mean?
Leonard traces back to a root meaning "lion". A male given name from the Germanic languages. A surname transferred from the given name. From Old French Leonard, name of a 6th century Frankish saint, from Old High German leo (“lion”) or Old High German liut (“person”) and hart (“hard”). As a surname, also used as an anglicisation of Irish Ó Leannáin (Lennon).
What is the origin of the name Leonard?
Leonard is listed as a name of Germanic origin.
How popular is the name Leonard?
Since 1880, 1,412 girls and 294,334 boys in the U.S. have been named Leonard (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1184 in 1928. Its highest rank for boys was #37 in 1923. In 2025 it ranked #637 for boys, with 438 babies given the name.
Is Leonard a boy or girl name?
Leonard is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 1,412 girls and 294,334 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.