Leonard
Leonard is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Brave lion or lion-hearted.
Origin and history
Leonard is a masculine name derived from Germanic elements meaning brave lion. It was introduced to England by the Normans and became a durable classic in Western traditions. In the United States, it was historically very popular in the early to mid-20th century and remains a recognizable, traditional choice today.
Popularity in the United States
294,334 babies in the United States have been named Leonard since 1880. It ranks #124 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #646.
States where it is most popular
- NY (11.5 %)
- PA (7.9 %)
- IL (6.6 %)
- CA (6 %)
- MI (4.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 2,144 |
| 1890-1900 | 3,166 |
| 1900-1910 | 5,022 |
| 1910-1920 | 31,878 |
| 1920-1930 | 53,793 |
| 1930-1940 | 39,214 |
| 1940-1950 | 44,289 |
| 1950-1960 | 43,551 |
| 1960-1970 | 28,441 |
| 1970-1980 | 15,805 |
| 1980-1990 | 10,467 |
| 1990-2000 | 6,267 |
| 2000-2010 | 3,918 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,933 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,446 |
Famous people named Leonard
- Leonard Nimoy: Actor, Director
- Leonard Bernstein: Composer, Conductor
- Leonard Cohen: Singer-Songwriter, Poet
Nicknames
Leo, Lenny, Len
Fun facts
- The name was brought to England by the Normans, replacing similar Old English names and becoming a staple of medieval tradition.
- Saint Leonard was widely venerated in medieval Europe, leading to many churches and towns being named in his honor.