Napoleon
Napoleon: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /nəˈpəʊ.li.ən/
Meaning and origin of Napoleon
Root meaning: “Naples”
- A male given name from Italian sometimes given in honor of the French emperor.
Etymology
From French Napoléon, from Italian Napoleone, name of an early saint, of uncertain origin; possibly from the Germanic clan name Nibelung. By folk etymology explained as Napoli (“Naples”) + leone (“lion”).
How popular is Napoleon?
Since 1880, 5 girls and 7,805 boys in the U.S. have been named Napoleon (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #5380 in 1927. Its highest rank for boys was #297 in 1887. In 2025, 22 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Napoleon FAQ
What does the name Napoleon mean?
Napoleon traces back to a root meaning "Naples". A male given name from Italian sometimes given in honor of the French emperor. From French Napoléon, from Italian Napoleone, name of an early saint, of uncertain origin; possibly from the Germanic clan name Nibelung. By folk etymology explained as Napoli (“Naples”) + leone (“lion”).
What is the origin of the name Napoleon?
Napoleon is listed as a name of Italian sometimes given in honor origin.
How popular is the name Napoleon?
Since 1880, 5 girls and 7,805 boys in the U.S. have been named Napoleon (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #5380 in 1927. Its highest rank for boys was #297 in 1887. In 2025, 22 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Napoleon a boy or girl name?
Napoleon is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 5 girls and 7,805 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.