The story behind Leo
From Latin leō (“lion”), calque of Ancient Greek λέων (léōn), calque of Akkadian 𒉈𒍑 (nēšu)/Akkadian 𒌨𒄞𒆷 (urgulû), from Sumerian 𒌨𒄞𒆷 (UR.GU.LA, “lion; name of constellation”). Doublet of Leon, leu, lev, lion, and Lyon.
Other language forms and explanations (2)
Dutch entry
Ultimately from Latin leō (“lion”), from Ancient Greek λέων (léōn, “lion”).
Finnish entry
From Latin leō (“lion”), as used e.g. as a papal name.
Pronunciation
US: /ˈliːoʊ/
Regional pronunciation variants
- UK: /ˈliːəʊ/
- Dutch: /ˈleː.oː/
- Finnish: /ˈleo/
- Finnish: [ˈle̞o̞]
Popularity
Leo ranked #5492 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Leo
Leão
From Latin Leō.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends O
- same syllable count
- similar length
Lleó
Inherited from Latin leō (“lion”), whence also lleó, from Ancient Greek λέων (léōn).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends Ó
- same syllable count
- similar length
Cleo
Shortened from Cleopatra or a variant of Clio. The rare male name derives from names of Ancient Greek origin such as Cleon and Cleopas.
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- same syllable count
- similar length
Clio
From the Ancient Greek Κλειώ (Kleiṓ). The award and car model were named after the goddess. From Ancient Greek Κλειώ (Kleiṓ).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- same syllable count
- similar length
Theo
Short form of Theodore, or of the rare given names Theobald, Theophilus or Theodoric, or of Theodora. From French Théo.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- same syllable count
- similar length
Caio
From Latin Caius, variant of Gaius. From Latin Caius, variant of Gaius. From Latin Caius, variant of Gaius.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends O
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Leo
Abel
English Abel From Middle English Abel, from Old English Ābel, from Latin Abel, from Ancient Greek Ἅβελ (Hábel), from Biblical Hebrew הֶבֶל (Héḇel, “Abel”), possibly from the…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Adam
Middle English Adam English Adam From Middle English Adam, from Old English Adam, from Latin Adam, Adamus, from Ancient Greek Ἀδάμ (Adám), Ἄδαμος (Ádamos), from Biblical Hebrew…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Ajax
From Latin Aiāx, from Ancient Greek Αἴᾱς (Aíās).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends X
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Leo
Abel
English Abel From Middle English Abel, from Old English Ābel, from Latin Abel, from Ancient Greek Ἅβελ (Hábel), from Biblical Hebrew הֶבֶל (Héḇel, “Abel”), possibly from the…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Adam
Middle English Adam English Adam From Middle English Adam, from Old English Adam, from Latin Adam, Adamus, from Ancient Greek Ἀδάμ (Adám), Ἄδαμος (Ádamos), from Biblical Hebrew…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Ajax
From Latin Aiāx, from Ancient Greek Αἴᾱς (Aíās).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends X
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection