Leo

Leo is a masculine first name that carries the meaning 'lion', derived from the Latin word leo. Although Leo is an independent name, it is often used as a short form of names that begin with 'Leo(n)', such as Leonhard, Leopold, or Leontina.

What does the name Leo mean?

The name Leo is a masculine first name meaning 'lion', which directly comes from the Latin term leo. It is independent and is also used as a short form of names that begin with 'Leo(n)', such as Leonhard, Leopold, or Leontina. The origin of the name traces back to the Latin word leo and the ancient Greek leon, both meaning 'lion'. In antiquity and the early Middle Ages, Leo was the name of many rulers and popes, with a total of 13 popes bearing this name. Since the turn of the millennium, Leo has become a frequently chosen first name for newborns in Germany, especially for boys. The variants Leon and Leonie are also extremely popular.

Where does the name Leo come from?

The etymology of the name Leo as an independent name goes back to the ancient Greek word leon for 'lion'. In Ancient Greek, it is rendered as leon, in Latin as leo, and in Old High German as le(w)o. The name is widespread in several languages, including German, English, and French.

How do you pronounce Leo?

The pronunciation of Leo is two-syllable and open. In German, the name is usually pronounced as 'Le-o' [ˈleːo], with the first syllable stressed, giving the name a bright sound quality. The open 'o' at the end provides a gentle, rounded finish. Leo conveys a clear and lively impression - modern, friendly, and present.

When is the name day of Leo?

The name day for Leo is celebrated on several days: April 19, June 12, November 6, November 10, and November 15.

Popularity

The first name Leo has been stable in Germany for many years, but it is not among the most common names. In the first documented decades, it showed a consistent presence without Leo ranking among the leading names of a year. It was only from the second half of the 20th century that Leo began to develop noticeably and moved up from mid-range positions.

Nicknames & pet names

Lause / Lause Maus / Layout / Le / Lego / Lel / Lele / Lelobelo / Leo-Podo / Leochen / LeoDeo / LeoLausemaus / Leole / Leolinchen / Leolino / Leonek / Leopold / Leopopeo / Leoth / Letscho / Leö / Lio / Lionhart / Litscho / Lou / Lällebäbbel / Läyo / Lée / Lö / Löli / Ole / Poldi / Seat / Theo

Similar first names

Famous people

• Daniel Leo Gretarsson (Icelandic footballer)
• Goléo (mascot of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, representing a lion)
• Leo (constellation) (Lion)
• Leo Aberer (* 1978), Austrian singer
• Leo Africanus (real name al-Hassan Ibn Muhammad al-Wessan) (* around 1490, died after 1554), Arab African explorer
• Léo Apotheker (* 1953), German manager
• Leo Bachle (Canadian illustrator)
• Leo Baptistao (Brazilian footballer)
• Leo Bardischewski (1914-1995), German actor and voice actor
• Leo Bartsch (singer (Queensberry))
• Leo Beenhakker (Dutch football coach)
• Leo Blech (German conductor and composer (19th/20th century))
• Leo Carroll (American footballer)
• Leo Caruso (character from 'A Way Out')
• Leo Chatelain (architect from Switzerland)
• Leo Chauliac (jazz musician from France)
• Leo Cittadini (Brazilian footballer)
• Leo Conde (Brazilian football manager)
• Leo Connard (Austrian actor)
• Leo Deck (Swiss painter)