Leonardo: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: Leonardo has been a consistently popular name in Italy, Spain, and Portuguese-speaking countries. It has also gained widespread use in USA, making its way into the top 100 in 2016.

Leonardo Overview

Meaning

Brave as a lion, lion-hearted

Gender

Boy

Origin

Italian, Spanish, Portuguese

Etymology

Derived from the Germanic name Leonhard, combining “leon” (lion) and “hard” (brave, hardy).

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˌliːoʊˈnɑːrdoʊ/

Popularity

Popular in Italy, Spain, and Portuguese-speaking countries; also widely used in English-speaking countries.

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

8 letters

Numerology

3 (Expressive, Social, Artistic)

Name Styles

Classic, Mythological, Cool, Cute, Long, Unique

Associated Traits

Brave, strong, artistic, intellectual, noble

Name Day

November 6th

Leonardo Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Leonard, Leonardo, Leonhard, Lionel, Leon, Leopold, Leonidas, Leonello, Léonard, Leandro

Common Nicknames

Leo, Leon, Lenny, Nardo, Lee, Lio, Ardo, Dino, Len, Nardo

Diminutives

Lio, Ardo, Nard, Dino, Leonny, Lea, Nano, Lenny, Leos

Famous People

Leonardo da Vinci
(Italian Artist)
Leonardo DiCaprio
(American Actor)
Leonardo Bonucci
(Italian Footballer)
Leonardo Sbaraglia
(Argentinian Actor)
Leonardo Jardim
(Portuguese Football Manager)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

Leonardo
("Leonardo", TV Series)
Leonardo
("Leonardo", Animated TV Series)
Leonardo
("Leonardo da Vinci", Book)

Places

Leonardo Community
(New Jersey, USA)
Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport
(Rome, Italy)
Parco Leonardo Area
(Rome, Italy)

What Is the Meaning of Leonardo?

The name Leonardo means “lion hearted” or “brave as a lion.” It combines the Germanic elements “leon,” meaning “lion,” and “hard,” meaning “brave” or “hardy.”

The name represents strength, courage, and nobility, akin to the qualities of a lion.

What Is the Origin of The Name Leonardo?

Leonardo is of Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese origin, deriving from the Germanic name Leonhard. The name was popularized in Italy and Spain during the Renaissance, largely due to the influence of the famous polymath Leonardo da Vinci.

The name spread throughout Europe and later to other parts of the world, becoming a classic and timeless choice. Its rich history and association with notable figures have helped maintain its popularity across cultures.

Leonardo Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Leonardo in the U.S. over the Years

United States	#872021	#752022	#842023
Top 3 Rankings	#752022	#842023	#862019

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Leonardo

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	84 (-9 from 2022)	4012 (-350 from 2022)	0.21910
2022	75 (+12 from 2021)	4362 (+261 from 2021)	0.23289
2021	87 (-1 from 2020)	4101 (-1 from 2020)	0.21888
2020	86 No change from 2019	4102 (-321 from 2019)	0.22177
2019	86 (+6 from 2018)	4423 (+202 from 2018)	0.23015
2018	92 (+5 from 2017)	4221 (+92 from 2017)	0.21716
2017	97 (-1 from 2016)	4129 (-195 from 2016)	0.20863
2016	96 (+7 from 2015)	4324 (+503 from 2015)	0.21346
2015	103 (+11 from 2014)	3821 (+371 from 2014)	0.18690
2014	114 (+17 from 2013)	3450 (+541 from 2013)	0.16836
2013	131 (+21 from 2012)	2909 (+225 from 2012)	0.14396
2012	152 (-3 from 2011)	2684 (+43 from 2011)	0.13227
2011	149 (+1 from 2010)	2641 (+25 from 2010)	0.13001
2010	150 (+14 from 2009)	2616 (+249 from 2009)	0.12734
2009	164 (+4 from 2008)	2367 (+21 from 2008)	0.11160
2008	168 (-4 from 2007)	2346 (-181 from 2007)	0.10759
2007	164 (+19 from 2006)	2527 (+340 from 2006)	0.11408
2006	183 (+3 from 2005)	2187 (+42 from 2005)	0.09976
2005	186 (+9 from 2004)	2145 (+182 from 2004)	0.10083
2004	195 (+16 from 2003)	1963 (+255 from 2003)	0.09289
2003	211 (+19 from 2002)	1708 (+248 from 2002)	0.08129
2002	230 (+4 from 2001)	1460 (+7 from 2001)	0.07065
2001	234 (+19 from 2000)	1453 (+122 from 2000)	0.07025
2000	253 (+1 from 1999)	1331 (+100 from 1999)	0.06374
1999	254 (+3 from 1998)	1231 (+71 from 1998)	0.06037
1998	257 (+100 from 1997)	1160 (+453 from 1997)	0.05721
1997	357 (+44 from 1996)	707 (+122 from 1996)	0.03539
1996	401 No change from 1995	585 (+15 from 1995)	0.02920
1995	401 (-23 from 1994)	570 (-51 from 1994)	0.02834
1994	378 (-10 from 1993)	621 (-22 from 1993)	0.03047
1993	368 (+13 from 1992)	643 (+42 from 1992)	0.03113
1992	381 (-7 from 1991)	601 (-11 from 1991)	0.02863
1991	374 (+41 from 1990)	612 (+57 from 1990)	0.02887
1990	415 (+62 from 1989)	555 (+156 from 1989)	0.02579
1989	477 (+9 from 1988)	399 (+43 from 1988)	0.01904
1988	486 (+12 from 1987)	356 (+36 from 1987)	0.01778
1987	498 (-2 from 1986)	320 (+10 from 1986)	0.01641
1986	496 (+6 from 1985)	310 (+9 from 1985)	0.01613
1985	502 (-13 from 1984)	301 (+6 from 1984)	0.01564
1984	489 (+25 from 1983)	295 (+29 from 1983)	0.01572
1983	514 (-33 from 1982)	266 (-48 from 1982)	0.01427
1982	481 (+10 from 1981)	314 (+24 from 1981)	0.01664
1981	491 (-42 from 1980)	290 (-54 from 1980)	0.01557
1980	449 (+51 from 1979)	344 (+67 from 1979)	0.01855
1979	500 (+29 from 1978)	277 (+34 from 1978)	0.01546
1978	529 (-17 from 1977)	243 (-13 from 1977)	0.01422
1977	512 (-8 from 1976)	256 (+2 from 1976)	0.01498
1976	504 (-24 from 1975)	254 (-23 from 1975)	0.01556
1975	480 (+8 from 1974)	277 (+9 from 1974)	0.01707
1974	488 (+37 from 1973)	268 (+45 from 1973)	0.01644
1973	525 (-25 from 1972)	223 (-26 from 1972)	0.01382
1972	500 (+41 from 1971)	249 (+30 from 1971)	0.01487
1971	541 (+32 from 1970)	219 (+21 from 1970)	0.01205
1970	573 (+57 from 1969)	198 (+41 from 1969)	0.01039
1969	630 No change from 1968	157 (+13 from 1968)	0.00858
1968	630 (-22 from 1967)	144 (-8 from 1967)	0.00811
1967	608 (-18 from 1966)	152 (-10 from 1966)	0.00854
1966	590 (+75 from 1965)	162 (+38 from 1965)	0.00891
1965	665 (+15 from 1964)	124 (-5 from 1964)	0.00654
1964	680 (-14 from 1963)	129 (-8 from 1963)	0.00636
1963	666 (-14 from 1962)	137 (-4 from 1962)	0.00664
1962	652 (-10 from 1961)	141 (-8 from 1961)	0.00671
1961	642 (+115 from 1960)	149 (+45 from 1960)	0.00691
1960	757 (-65 from 1959)	104 (-18 from 1959)	0.00480
1959	692 (+34 from 1958)	122 (+17 from 1958)	0.00563
1958	726 (+64 from 1957)	105 (+15 from 1957)	0.00487
1957	790 (+19 from 1956)	90 (+5 from 1956)	0.00411
1956	809 (-23 from 1955)	85 (-1 from 1955)	0.00396
1955	786 (-51 from 1954)	86 (-10 from 1954)	0.00411
1954	735 (+51 from 1953)	96 (+14 from 1953)	0.00464
1953	786 (-11 from 1952)	82 No change from 1952	0.00410
1952	775 (+99 from 1951)	82 (+18 from 1951)	0.00416
1951	874 (-37 from 1950)	64 (-2 from 1950)	0.00335
1950	837 (+19 from 1949)	66 (+2 from 1949)	0.00363
1949	856 (+76 from 1948)	64 (+9 from 1948)	0.00355
1948	932 (+51 from 1947)	55 (+3 from 1947)	0.00309
1947	983 (-174 from 1946)	52 (-15 from 1946)	0.00280
1946	809 (-19 from 1945)	67 (+6 from 1945)	0.00406
1945	790 (+42 from 1944)	61 (+4 from 1944)	0.00445
1944	832 (+137 from 1943)	57 (+9 from 1943)	0.00410
1943	969 (+85 from 1942)	48 (+7 from 1942)	0.00330
1942	1054 (-67 from 1941)	41 (-1 from 1941)	0.00291
1941	987 (+44 from 1940)	42 (+3 from 1940)	0.00335
1940	1031 (-16 from 1939)	39 No change from 1939	0.00329
1939	1015 (+28 from 1938)	39 (+1 from 1938)	0.00344
1938	1043 (+51 from 1937)	38 (+3 from 1937)	0.00334
1937	1094 (-26 from 1936)	35 (-1 from 1936)	0.00320
1936	1068 (-265 from 1935)	36 (-23 from 1935)	0.00338
1935	803 (+93 from 1934)	59 (+10 from 1934)	0.00552
1934	896 (+41 from 1933)	49 (+4 from 1933)	0.00461
1933	937 (+67 from 1932)	45 (+2 from 1932)	0.00441
1932	1004 (+46 from 1931)	43 (+2 from 1931)	0.00400
1931	1050 (+19 from 1930)	41 (-1 from 1930)	0.00383
1930	1069 (-210 from 1929)	42 (-17 from 1929)	0.00372
1929	859 (+104 from 1928)	59 (+9 from 1928)	0.00533
1928	963 (-105 from 1927)	50 (-12 from 1927)	0.00438
1927	858 (-3 from 1926)	62 (+2 from 1926)	0.00534
1926	855 (+253 from 1925)	60 (+20 from 1925)	0.00524
1925	1108 (-88 from 1924)	40 (-8 from 1924)	0.00347
1924	1020 (-12 from 1923)	48 No change from 1923	0.00411
1923	1008 (+38 from 1922)	48 (+3 from 1922)	0.00424
1922	1046 (+12 from 1921)	45 (+1 from 1921)	0.00400
1921	1058 (-98 from 1920)	44 (-8 from 1920)	0.00387
1920	960 (+137 from 1919)	52 (+13 from 1919)	0.00472
1919	1097 (-18 from 1918)	39 (-1 from 1918)	0.00384
1918	1079 (-46 from 1917)	40 No change from 1917	0.00381
1917	1033 (+302 from 1916)	40 (+14 from 1916)	0.00417
1916	1335 (+37 from 1915)	26 (+2 from 1915)	0.00282
1915	1372 (-369 from 1914)	24 (-7 from 1914)	0.00272
1914	1003 (+253 from 1913)	31 (+14 from 1913)	0.00454
1913	1256 (+12 from 1912)	17 (+3 from 1912)	0.00317
1912	1268 (-343 from 1911)	14 (+1 from 1911)	0.00310
1911	925 (+3 from 1910)	13 (+1 from 1910)	0.00539
1910	928 (-88 from 1909)	12 No change from 1909	0.00575
1909	840 (+533 from 1908)	12 (+7 from 1908)	0.00678
1908	1373 (-279 from 1907)	5 (-2 from 1907)	0.00301
1907	1094 (-175 from 1905)	7 (-1 from 1905)	0.00441
1906	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1905	919 (+94 from 1902)	8 (+2 from 1902)	0.00559
1904	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1903	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1902	1013 (-77 from 1885)	6 (+1 from 1885)	0.00452
1901	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1900	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1899	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1898	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1897	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1896	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1895	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1894	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1893	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1892	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1891	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1890	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1889	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1888	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1887	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1886	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1885	936 First SSA data recorded	5 First SSA data recorded	0.00431
1884	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1883	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1882	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1881	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1880	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Leonardo

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

#342021

#352022

#302023

Texas (TX)

#392021

#312022

#352023

New York (NY)

#992021

#742022

#962023

Illinois (IL)

#492021

#242022

#372023

Florida (FL)

#812021

#742022

#722023

Arizona (AZ)

#552021

#532022

#452023

New Jersey (NJ)

#712021

#842022

#752023

Georgia (GA)

#1572021

#1412022

#1372023

Washington (WA)

#662021

#652022

#1222023

North Carolina (NC)

#1472021

#1482022

#1422023

Colorado (CO)

#832021

#662022

#852023

Massachusetts (MA)

#832021

#1102022

#1072023

Nevada (NV)

#392021

#312022

#332023

Pennsylvania (PA)

#1552021

#1602022

#1732023

Virginia (VA)

#1532021

#1542022

#1312023

Michigan (MI)

#1472021

#1432022

#1912023

Ohio (OH)

#2302021

#2092022

#2042023

Indiana (IN)

#1852021

#1452022

#1582023

Wisconsin (WI)

#1352021

#1292022

#1412023

Oregon (OR)

#1652021

#722022

#1792023

Maryland (MD)

#1782021

#1442022

#1952023

Connecticut (CT)

#1062021

#832022

#772023

Utah (UT)

#1292021

#792022

#1502023

Minnesota (MN)

#1522021

#1652022

#2002023

Tennessee (TN)

#2982021

#1862022

#1662023

New Mexico (NM)

#1122021

#762022

#942023

Oklahoma (OK)

#1112021

#862022

#1872023

Kansas (KS)

#1472021

#1632022

#1162023

Missouri (MO)

#2262021

#2382022

#2432023

South Carolina (SC)

#2072021

#1952022

#1882023

Iowa (IA)

#1482021

#1662022

#2622023

Alabama (AL)

#3412021

#3442022

#2082023

Arkansas (AR)

#1712021

#1292022

#1852023

Nebraska (NE)

#1402021

#1542022

#1152023

Louisiana (LA)

#3092021

#2912022

#2452023

Idaho (ID)

#1382021

#1622022

#2072023

Kentucky (KY)

#5592021

#3682022

#4512023

District of Columbia (DC)

#1742021

#1482022

#882023

Rhode Island (RI)

#1882021

#962022

#1222023

Delaware (DE)

#2362021

#1262022

#802023

Mississippi (MS)

#4492021

#3902022

#4492023

Hawaii (HI)

#2252020

#2252021

#792022

New Hampshire (NH)

#1562021

#1452022

#1942023

South Dakota (SD)

#2662018

#1592019

#2702022

Alaska (AK)

#2402016

#1982020

#1712021

Wyoming (WY)

#1112017

#1102018

Maine (ME)

#2532020

#2642022

West Virginia (WV)

#3262021

Popularity Rankings for Leonardo in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Italy

Italy

#12020

#12021

#12022

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico

#42020

#42021

Popularity in Brazil

Brazil

#112000 (Decade)

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland

#172020

#122021

#122022

Popularity in Renaissance Italy

Renaissance Italy

#221427

Popularity in Portugal

Portugal

#382012

#362019

#342020

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico

#542021

#372022

#622023

Popularity in Chile

Chile

#642019

#672020

#722021

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW)

#742021

#662022

#742023

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa

Guam

Northern Mariana Islands

U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories

#692014

Popularity in Uruguay

Uruguay

#982021

#882022

#762023

Popularity in Canada

Canada

#1092021

#992022

#2022023

Popularity in Germany

Germany

#1232021

#992022

#1132023

Popularity in Austria

Austria

#1212020

#1082021

#1102022

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina

#1182013

#1212014

#1162015

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales

#1162019

#1282020

#1162021

Popularity in Poland

Poland

#1542021

#1612022

#1702023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand

#1562021

#1932022

#2702023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland

#2792021

#1782022

#1662023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada

#1942020

#1862021

#1982022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland

#2732021

#2172022

#3662023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden

#2302022

#2322023

Popularity in Norway

Norway

#2922021

#3242022

#2402023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

#2492021

#3112022

#2722023

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland

#3292021

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Leonardo a Name for Boys or Girls?

Leonardo is traditionally a name for boys. It has been predominantly used for males in Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Furthermore, The name’s strong, heroic feelings and historical usage have solidified its association with boys.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Leonardo

Leonard
Meaning: Brave as a lion, lion-hearted
Origin: Italian, Spanish, Portuguese Leonardo
Leonhard
Lionel
Meaning: Lion
Origin: GreekLeon
Leopold
Leonidas
Leonello
Léonard
Meaning: Lion man, liberator
Origin: Italian, Portuguese, SpanishLeandro

Meaning: Lion
Origin: LatinLeo
Meaning: Lion
Origin: GreekLeon
Lenny
Nardo
Lee
Lio
Ardo
Lenny
Dino
Len

Lio
Ardo
Nard
Dino
Leonny
Lea
Nano
Lenny
Leos

Leonardo in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Leonardo da Vinci (Artist, 1452-1519): An Italian polymath renowned for his paintings, inventions, and contributions to science and the arts, including the "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper."
Leonardo DiCaprio (Actor, born 1974): An American actor known for his roles in "Titanic," "Inception," and "The Revenant," for which he won an Academy Award.
Leonardo Bonucci (Footballer, born 1987): An Italian professional footballer who plays as a center-back for Juventus and the Italian national team, known for his defensive skills.
Leonardo Sbaraglia (Actor, born 1970): An Argentine actor acclaimed for his performances in "Wild Tales" and "Intacto."
Leonardo Jardim (Football Manager, born 1974): A Portuguese football manager recognized for leading AS Monaco to a Ligue 1 title in 2017.

Leonardo (2012, TV Series): A British-Italian children's historical fiction television series that depicts a young Leonardo da Vinci solving mysteries and inventing gadgets.
Leonardo (1990, Animated TV Series): An animated TV series featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, with Leonardo being one of the main characters, known for his leadership and blue bandana.
Leonardo (2016, Book): A biography titled "Leonardo da Vinci" by Walter Isaacson, detailing the life and works of the Renaissance genius.

Leonardo Community (New Jersey, USA): A community in Middletown Township, known for its historic significance and proximity to Leonardo State Marina.
Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (Rome, Italy): Italy's largest airport, named after the famous Renaissance polymath, serving as the primary international gateway to Rome.
Parco Leonardo Area (Rome, Italy): A residential and commercial area in Rome, featuring modern amenities and shopping centers.

Leonard
Meaning: Lion man, liberator
Origin: Italian, Portuguese, SpanishLeandro
Meaning: Little lion
Origin: LatinLeonel
Lionel
Leonidas

Meaning: Strong lord
Origin: Wel

Leonardo Name Meaning

Leonardo Overview

Leonardo Variations in Different Cultures

What Is the Meaning of Leonardo?

What Is the Origin of The Name Leonardo?

Leonardo Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Leonardo in the U.S. over the Years

American States Popularity Rankings for Leonardo

California (CA)

Texas (TX)

New York (NY)

Illinois (IL)

Florida (FL)

Arizona (AZ)

New Jersey (NJ)

Georgia (GA)

Washington (WA)

North Carolina (NC)

Colorado (CO)

Massachusetts (MA)

Nevada (NV)

Pennsylvania (PA)

Virginia (VA)

Michigan (MI)

Ohio (OH)

Indiana (IN)

Wisconsin (WI)

Oregon (OR)

Maryland (MD)

Connecticut (CT)

Utah (UT)

Minnesota (MN)

Tennessee (TN)

New Mexico (NM)

Oklahoma (OK)

Kansas (KS)

Missouri (MO)

South Carolina (SC)

Iowa (IA)

Alabama (AL)

Arkansas (AR)

Nebraska (NE)

Louisiana (LA)

Idaho (ID)

Kentucky (KY)

District of Columbia (DC)

Rhode Island (RI)

Delaware (DE)

Mississippi (MS)

Hawaii (HI)

New Hampshire (NH)

South Dakota (SD)

Alaska (AK)

Wyoming (WY)

Maine (ME)

West Virginia (WV)

Popularity in Italy

Popularity in Mexico

Popularity in Brazil

Popularity in Switzerland

Popularity in Renaissance Italy

Popularity in Portugal

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Popularity in Chile

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Popularity in Other American Territories

Popularity in Uruguay

Popularity in Canada

Popularity in Germany

Popularity in Austria

Popularity in Argentina

Popularity in England and Wales

Popularity in Poland

Popularity in New Zealand

Popularity in Ireland

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Popularity in Scotland

Popularity in Sweden

Popularity in Norway

Popularity in Northern Ireland