Leonard Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Leonard is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Leonard?
Leonard is spelled L-E-O-N-A-R-D. The name has 7 letters.
Leonard at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Leonard means “brave lion” and derives from Germanic elements meaning “lion” and “brave” or “hardy.”.
- Origin
- Leonard is commonly associated with Germanic roots and has been used in various European cultures over many centuries.
- Pronunciation
- LEE-uh-nərd · 3 syllables
Leonard Popularity in 2025
Rank#637
Recorded Births438
- Boys usage rose 33 places to #637 and recorded 29 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Leonard Mean?
Leonard means “brave lion” and derives from Germanic elements meaning “lion” and “brave” or “hardy.”.
Origin: Leonard is commonly associated with Germanic roots and has been used in various European cultures over many centuries.
How Do You Pronounce Leonard?
PronunciationLEE-uh-nərd
Syllables3
What Is the History of the Name Leonard?
- History
- The name Leonard has appeared in medieval European records and has been borne by several saints and historical figures.
Leonard Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 438 | #637 |
| 2024 | Boys | 409 | #670 |
| 2023 | Boys | 384 | #692 |
| 2022 | Boys | 373 | #707 |
| 2021 | Boys | 421 | #650 |
| 2020 | Boys | 421 | #635 |
| 2019 | Boys | 443 | #614 |
| 2018 | Boys | 417 | #635 |
| 2017 | Boys | 437 | #605 |
| 2016 | Boys | 450 | #598 |
| 2015 | Boys | 400 | #650 |
| 2014 | Boys | 385 | #666 |
| 2013 | Boys | 349 | #685 |
| 2012 | Boys | 338 | #703 |
| 2011 | Boys | 326 | #703 |
| 2010 | Boys | 388 | #626 |
| 2009 | Boys | 323 | #727 |
| 2008 | Boys | 400 | #619 |
| 2007 | Boys | 356 | #672 |
| 2006 | Boys | 384 | #618 |
| 2005 | Boys | 385 | #587 |
| 2004 | Boys | 385 | #579 |
| 2003 | Boys | 402 | #559 |
| 2002 | Boys | 396 | #562 |
When Was Leonard Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1921 · Boys
5,650 recorded births
National rank #39
1924 · Boys
5,601 recorded births
National rank #38
1920 · Boys
5,511 recorded births
National rank #38
1923 · Boys
5,486 recorded births
National rank #37
Where Leonard Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| MT | #173 | 7 |
| SD | #221 | 6 |
| MN | #275 | 22 |
| KS | #352 | 10 |
| NM | #360 | 5 |
| OR | #398 | 9 |
| WI | #411 | 12 |
| MI | #487 | 17 |