Leona
Leona is a girl's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Lioness.
Origin and history
Leona is a feminine given name of Latin origin, derived from the word for lion. It was widely popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States and has seen a steady revival in recent years. Today, it offers a vintage, classic charm that aligns with modern preferences for botanical and antique names.
Popularity in the United States
113,330 babies in the United States have been named Leona since 1880. It ranks #340 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #487.
States where it is most popular
- PA (8.2 %)
- NY (6.3 %)
- IL (6.1 %)
- MI (5.6 %)
- OH (5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 2,151 |
| 1890-1900 | 5,083 |
| 1900-1910 | 9,848 |
| 1910-1920 | 23,825 |
| 1920-1930 | 26,031 |
| 1930-1940 | 14,173 |
| 1940-1950 | 9,028 |
| 1950-1960 | 5,641 |
| 1960-1970 | 3,695 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,024 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,355 |
| 1990-2000 | 935 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,487 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,297 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,757 |
Famous people named Leona
- Leona Lewis: Singer, Songwriter
- Leona Helmsley: Businesswoman
Nicknames
Leo, Lea, Onie
Fun facts
- Leona is the feminine form of Leon or Leo, originating from the Latin word for lioness.
- After ranking among the top 100 U.S. female names in the early 1900s, Leona has returned to popular baby name lists in recent years.