Leonardo is a masculine given name of Italian origin. It is derived from the Germanic name Leonhard, which means "brave lion". The name became popular in Italy during the Renaissance period, particularly due to the fame of the artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci. Today, Leonardo remains a popular name in Italy and other parts of the world, often shortened to Leo or Lenny as a nickname.
Leon rank report (US ranking for newborns 2021)
Famous people named Leon
| Leonardo da Vinci | Art and Science | Italian polymath, painter, sculptor, architect, musician, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist, and writer. |
| Leon Trotsky | Revolutionary | Russian Marxist revolutionary, theorist, and Soviet politician. |
| Leonardo DiCaprio | Acting | American actor, film producer, and environmental activist. |
| Leon Spinks | Boxing | Former professional boxer who became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. |
| Leon Bridges | Music | American soul singer, songwriter, and record producer. |
| Leon Russell | Music | American musician and songwriter who worked with many famous artists such as Elton John, Bob Dylan, and the Rolling Stones. |
| Leon Panetta | Politics | American politician who served as the 23rd Secretary of Defense and the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. |
| Leon Black | Business | American billionaire businessman and the founder of Apollo Global Management. |
| Leon Uris | Writing | American novelist, known for his historical fiction and political thrillers. |
| Leon Redbone | Music | American singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his unique style of music blending blues, jazz, and ragtime. |
Fictional character called Leon from pop culture
| Leon S. Kennedy | Resident Evil franchise | Protagonist of several Resident Evil games |
| Leon Black | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Larry David's friend and manager |
| Leonard "Lenny" Kosnowski | Laverne & Shirley | One of the main characters, Laverne's love interest |
| Leonard Hofstadter | The Big Bang Theory | One of the main characters, a physicist |
| Leon Vance | NCIS | Director of NCIS |
| Leon Phelps | The Ladies Man | Protagonist of the movie and SNL skits |
| Leon Belmont | Castlevania | Protagonist of Castlevania: Lament of Innocence |
| Leonardo "Leo" Hamato | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | One of the four ninja turtles |
| Leonard Snart/Captain Cold | DC Comics | Supervillain and occasional antihero in the DC Universe |
| Leonard Shelby | Memento | Protagonist of the movie, suffering from anterograde amnesia |
Frequently Asked Questions about Leon
| What is the origin of the name Leon? | The name Leon is of Greek origin, meaning 'lion'. |
| Is Leon a popular name? | Yes, Leon has been a popular name throughout history and is still commonly used today. |
| What are some famous people with the name Leon? | Some famous people with the name Leon include Leon Trotsky, Leon Spinks, and Leon Bridges. |
| Is Leon a unisex name? | While Leon can be used for both boys and girls, it is more commonly used for boys. |
| What are some variations of the name Leon? | Variations of the name Leon include Leonel, Leontius, and Leontine. |
| What is the meaning behind the name Leon? | The name Leon means 'lion', which symbolizes strength, courage, and leadership. |
| What is the popularity of the name Leon in the United States? | Leon is currently ranked as the 262nd most popular name for boys in the United States. |