Boy · 223rd of 23,106
Leon
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
181,458
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1924
Peak Popularity Year
2,714
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Leon stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Leon is of Greek origin, meaning 'lion.' It evolved from the Greek 'leon' to Latin as 'Leo' and has variants in several languages. The name is often associated with strength and bravery. It holds no direct biblical relevance but has been widely used since medieval times, gaining popularity in various cultures. Notable figures named Leon include political leaders, artists, and musicians.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/liˈɒn/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Leon is derived from the Greek word 'leon' (λέων), meaning 'lion.'
Meaning
lion
Language Evolution
Leon (Greek), Leo (Latin), León (Spanish)
Historical Usage
The name Leon gained popularity in various cultures, particularly in medieval Europe, as it was associated with bravery and nobility.
Variants & Derivatives
Leo, Leonard, Leona, Leonardo
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Leon is perceived as a strong and classic name, often associated with leadership and courage.
Famous People
Leon Trotsky, Leonardo da Vinci, Leon Russell, Leon Panetta
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 2,714 peak births in 1924
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Mississippi
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 6 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 79th of 7545 | 38,610 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 91st of 6773 | 41,744 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 148th of 7552 | 38,683 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 224th of 10718 | 16,875 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 348th of 16616 | 10,538 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 475th of 24088 | 8,645 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 223rd of 23106 | 21,039 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1387th of 9107 | 566 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2098th of 9204 | 298 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3214th of 12526 | 258 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4920th of 19264 | 176 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 11872nd of 27321 | 69 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 24101st of 30306 | 13 |