Names › Boys' names › L › Leon

Leon

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

Origin & history

From Greek leon, 'lion'. Popular across Europe.

Famous people named Leon

Leon Trotsky (revolutionary)
Leon Bridges (singer)

Nicknames

Leo

Variants & related names

Léon, León, Leone

Leon name art

A free preview of a printable “Leon” 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 Leon mean?

Leon means “lion”. It comes from Greek.

Is Leon a popular name?

Yes — Leon 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 Leon?

Leo.

What are other forms of Leon?

Léon, León, Leone.

Similar names

Peter · Stephen · Timothy · Colin · Nico · Orion

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.