Names › Boys' names › L › Leonardo

Leonardo

Meaning: brave lion · Origin: Germanic (via Italian) · Gender: usually a boy's name

Origin & history

The Italian form of Leonard, 'brave as a lion'. Leonardo da Vinci and Leonardo DiCaprio made it world-famous.

Famous people named Leonardo

Leonardo da Vinci (artist)
Leonardo DiCaprio (actor)

Nicknames

Leo, Nardo

Variants & related names

Leonard, Léonard, Leonhard

Leonardo name art

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

Leonardo means “brave lion”. It comes from Germanic (via Italian).

Is Leonardo a popular name?

Yes — Leonardo 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 Leonardo?

Leo, Nardo.

What are other forms of Leonardo?

Leonard, Léonard, Leonhard.

Similar names

Everett · Myles · Milo · Luis · Archie · Freddie

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.