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Leon

lee-on; Leh-on; Lay-on
Greek variation of Leo
"lion"
Clare Green
By Clare Green
Updated Mon May 20 2024

Leon Origin and Meaning

The name Leon is a boy's name of German, Greek origin meaning "lion".

Currently overshadowed by the bright and lively Leo, Leon feels a slightly more serious, more quietly confident than its short and trending counterpart.

Just as leonine as Leo and Leonardo, Leon is popular across Europe, ranking in the Top 40 in Belgium, Switzerland, Norway, Poland, Germany and Finland. It has dipped in and out of the UK Top 100, but as of 2022, it is back.

Leon peaked in the US in the 1920s, but it is on the rise again as parents turn to familiar-but-less-used alternatives to the most popular names. In 2023, it was in the US Top 200, and given to nearly 2500 boys.

A name with history, Russian Marxist revolutionary Lev Davidovich Bronstein is better known to history as Leon Trotsky. Leon (LAY-on) has been the name of three French prime ministers, while Leon Russell (born Claude) is a respected singer-songwriter.

# 148 in the US

Leon Rank in US Top 1000

# 164 on Nameberry

Leon Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Leon Popularity

Famous People Named Leon

  • Leon Leonwood Beanfounder of L.L. Bean
  • Leon Battista AlbertiItalian Renaissance man
  • Leon Eric "Kix" BrooksAmerican country music singer of duo Brooks & Dunn
  • Leon Trotsky (born Lev Davidovich Bronstein)Russian revolutionary
  • Leon Curtis FriersonAmerican actor/comedian
  • Leon Lastarza Lafayette Lorenzo HallAmerican NFL football player
  • Leon Edward Panettaformer U.S. Secretary of Defense
  • Leon Preston Robinson IVAmerican actor
  • Leon SpinksAmerican boxer
  • Leon G. Thomas IIIAmerican actor, record producer, songwriter, and singer
  • Leon Dewitt WashingtonAmerican football player
  • Leon WilliamsAmerican football player
  • Leon Russell (born Claude Russell Bridges)American musician
  • Leon James "Lee" DeWyzeAmerican singer,songwriter
  • Leon Brittanformer English MP
  • Leon Frank Sylvers IIIAmerican singer,songwriter
  • Todd Michael "Leon" BridgesAmerican gospel/soul singer
  • Leon Frank CzolgoszAmerican anarchist who assassinated U.S. President William McKinley
  • Leon BaileyJamaican professional footballer
  • Leon JacksonScottish singer, winner of The X Factor 2007
  • Leon Oliveira Martins aka Coisa de NerdBrazilian YouTuber
  • LÉONstage name of Swedish singer,songwriter Lotta Lindgren
  • Léon Bruel (b. 2005)son of singer Patrick Bruel
  • Leon (b. 2010)son of singer Zhana Bergendorff
  • Leon von Fürstenberg (b. 2012)son of Prince Alexander von Fürstenberg and Ali Kay
  • Leon Kroos (b. 2013)son of footballer Toni Kroos
  • Leon Castro (b. 2013)son of actress Mercedes Scápola and Mariano Castro
  • Leon Alexandre Biaggison of motorcyclist Max Biaggi and beauty queen Eleonora Pedron
  • Leon Bellson of guitarist Andy Bell of Oasis and singer Idha Övelius
  • Leon Alexander Krullson of singers Liv Kristine and Alexander Krull of Atrocity
  • Leon Kostelić (b. 2016)son of skier Ivica Kostelić
  • Knox Leon JoliePitt, son of actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt

Leon in Pop Culture

  • Léon Montanamain character in 1994 film "Léon: The Professional"
  • Leon Blackcharacter played by JB Smoove on "Curb Your Enthusiasm"
  • Leon Scott Kennedymain character in the Resident Evil series
  • Leon PhelpsThe Ladies Man, character played by Tim Meadows on TV's "Saturday Night Live" and in a 2000 movie
  • Leon Vancea character on TV's "NCIS"
  • Leon Kompowskycharacter who impersonated Michael Jackson (voiced by the real Michael Jackson), in an episode of "The Simpsons"
  • Leoncharacter in movie "Eloise at the Plaza"
  • Leoncharacter in The Fast and the Furious series
  • Sir Leonknight in Arthurian legends
  • Leon Greymain character in the series "Birthmarked" by Caragh M. O'Brien
  • LeonReborn's pet chameleon in the manga and anime, 'Katekyo Hitman Reborn!'
  • Leona former dragon priest and eligible bachelor in the 3DS game Rune Factory 4
  • LEONEnglish Vocaloid
  • Leoncharacter in TV series, "Canimals".
  • Kings of LeonAmerican Rock Band
  • Leónformer Spanish kingdom