Leo

Meaning: lion · Origin: Latin · Gender: usually a boy's name

Origin & history

Latin for 'lion'. It has been the name of many popes, most recently Leo XIV (elected 2025). Leo Tolstoy is the usual English form of Lev Tolstoy.

Famous people named Leo

Leo Tolstoy (writer)
Pope Leo XIV

Nicknames

Lee

Variants & related names

Léo, Lev, Leon, Leone

Leo name art

A free preview of a printable “Leo” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name Leo mean?

Leo means “lion”. It comes from Latin.

Is Leo a popular name?

Yes — Leo has been one of the most popular boys' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for Leo?

Lee.

What are other forms of Leo?

Léo, Lev, Leon, Leone.

Similar names

Marcus · Martin · Victor · August · Francis · Maximus

More: names starting with L · all boys' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.