A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Leo since 1880
Babies named Leo per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2022, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Leo's real moment was 1903.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 2,098 |
| 1890s | 4,691 |
| 1900s | 5,629 |
| 1910s | 26,656 |
| 1920s | 36,960 |
| 1930s | 22,864 |
| 1940s | 16,962 |
| 1950s | 15,536 |
| 1960s | 9,487 |
| 1970s | 5,365 |
| 1980s | 4,541 |
| 1990s | 4,738 |
| 2000s | 12,274 |
| 2010s | 44,706 |
| 2020s | 47,481 |
Meaning & origin
Lion in Latin, a papal name since the fifth century, most recently Leo XIV, elected in 2025, and casual enough for a guitar maker from Fullerton, Leo compresses a lot of range into three letters. It works across languages without alteration, which increasingly matters to American parents, and it needs no nickname because it essentially is one.
The Social Security record shows a textbook century-long round trip. Leo peaked in 1903, a favorite of immigrant-era families, then receded steadily until 1989, when the modern climb began. By 2025 it had reached No. 19, roughly 1 in every 209 boys, its strongest showing since the days when its bearers arrived through Ellis Island.
Today the name runs best in Vermont, the District of Columbia, and South Dakota, a spread wide enough to suggest broad-spectrum rather than coastal-niche appeal. Stylistically it anchors the short-vintage-international cluster: Milo, Felix, and Mateo for brothers, Ivy and Stella for sisters.
Leo is the Latin word for lion, cognate with Greek leōn, and it has been a personal name since antiquity, borne by Byzantine emperors and by a long line of popes, from Leo the Great in the fifth century to Leo XIV, elected in 2025. It doubles as the natural short form of Leonard, Leopold, and Leonardo, and as the conventional English rendering of Slavic Lev, which is how Tolstoy became Leo in translation. In American records the name was strongest among turn-of-the-century families, its peak came in 1903, before a long mid-century fade. The climb back began in 1989, and the 2020s have returned Leo to the top 20 for the first time in over a century.
Read more: Leo on Wikipedia
Where Leo is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Leo” around the world
Where Leo lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#4
in 2024
Ireland
#10
in 2025
New Zealand
#6
in 2025
Quebec
#2
in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#5
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Famous people named Leo
- Leo Tolstoy · Russian novelist (the anglicized form of Lev)
- Leo Fender · founder of the Fender guitar company
Sibling names for Leo
Names that share Leo's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Ivy, Stella, Cora, Ruby, Mila, Aria, Aurora, Ella, Ellie, Emma, Lily, Luna, Mia, Nora, Sofia, Sophie, Alisa, Annie, April, Autumn, Beatrice, Cecilia, Clara, Daisy, Dora, Erma, Eva, Evie, Flora, Gemma, Gina, Haven, India, Jewel, Julia, June, Karla, Lana, Lena, Lila, Lilly, Lola, Marcella, Nia, Nina, Nola, Olive, Penny, Rita, Rosa, Sienna, Stevie, Viola, Vivian, Wanda, Winnie, Adele, Adelle, Aila, Aja, Akia, Alba, Alesia, Alina, Alita, Amaya, Ami, Arya, Asia, Athena, Avaya, Avis, Bela, Birdie, Caia, Cami, Candida, Celene, Celia, Cher, Cherry, Cleo, Coco, Coral, Corine, Corinna, Dahlia, Dalia, Dania, Dasha, Delia, Dessa, Edie, Elana, Elara, Elda, Elina, Elli, Elma, Elsa, Emerald, Era, Esme, Estel, Farrah, Fay, Ferne, Flor, Frida, Genia, Gia, Gilda, Gisele, Goldie, Hana, Harlow, Holli, Ila, Ilene, Ina, Indie, Iva, Ivory, Jaide, Jemma, Kalli, Kami, Karmen, Kaya, Kehlani, Kia, Kira, Kora, Kya, Lara, Leia, Leota, Leyna, Lilith, Lilli, Lilyann, Lina, Livia, Lluvia, Lona, Lucero, Lucie, Lulu, Lyra, Mai, Maia, Maisie, Mari, Mariel, Marlo, Marnie, Mayra, Meda, Melina, Mickie, Mika, Miki, Milana, Milena, Mimi, Mina, Mira, Mischa, Miya, Mona, My, Mylah, Myrtis, Nala, Nana, Neva, Nita, Noma, Nona, Norah, Nya, Nyssa, Odessa, Ola, Oma, Ona, Ora, Ottie, Palma, Pepper, Phoebe, Raya, Rayna, Regina, Reina, Remi, Rena, Renata, Renita, Reta, Rhea, Roma, Rosella, Rosy, Roxie, Rubi, Rya, Sabina, Scarlet, Siena, Sol, Sommer, Starr, Sunny, Sunshine, Suri, Taja, Tana, Taya, Terra, Thea, Theda, Tia, Vada, Vera, Vesta, Vida, Vina, Violette, Vira, Winter, Wren, Yara, Yetta, Zaria, Zelda, Zena, Zoe, Zya, Acacia, Adalia, Adia, Adora, Aeris, Aira, Airam, Alix, Alys, Amerie, Amor, Anai, Anel, Ani, Anise, Annah, Ara, Arla, Aura, Aurea, Autum, Avia, Avyanna, Bea, Bebe, Bee, Berna, Bina, Blossom, Calla, Calli, Cally, Camelia, Charly, Cherri, Chi, Cleone, Crysta, Dafne, Daina, Daisey, Damya, Darya, Dava, Dea, Delta, Dimple, Dori, Dreama, Dulcie, Dyani, Eda, Elza, Emelyn, Emmi, Ena, Enola, Esmae, Evolet, Fae, Fairy, Floria, France, Gaby, Gaia, Geena, Genie, Gigi, Gypsy, Henna, Ilda, Illa, Indy, Indya, Isley, Izzy, Jani, Jhene, Jiana, Jina, Joetta, Jorja, Jovi, Jovie, Jule, Junia, Juno, Kalina, Kasha, Kateri, Kati, Keiry, Kena, Kimi, Kina, Kirra, Korra, Kyah, La, Lael, Lala, Leni, Lenna, Leonia, Lera, Lexa, Lili, Lillia, Lillith, Loria, Lossie, Luci, Maiya, Maizie, Maizy, Marni, Mayla, Mazie, Mea, Mel, Melita, Mileena, Milla, Minta, Misha, Mitzy, Myia, Naia, Neida, Nella, Nena, Neomi, Nika, Nilah, Nori, Novah, Novalee, Novaleigh, October, Olympia, Pearly, Peri, Pia, Rea, Reena, Rella, Renetta, Renna, Reya, Ria, Riana, Ricci, Risa, Romi, Romy, Rosey, Rosia, Roxy, Rumi, Ryah, Sada, Sela, Sia, Siana, Skylah, Soleil, Somer, Sula, Sunday, Sunnie, Sury, Taina, Tanna, Tavia, Tea, Teah, Tesa, Thais, Tiny, Tisa, Tobi, Tomi, Tula, Vania, Vanna, Velia, Vella, Vena, Verena, Veta, Xenia, Zada, Zadie, Zaya, Zelie, Zeta, Zetta, Zhuri, Zina, Zita, Zoya, Adaia, Adelie, Aeva, Aija, Aina, Airis, Aisa, Aiya, Akiya, Aliene, Alis, Alla, Allora, Allura, Amarra, Amela, Amour, Anely, Anni, Annia, Annya, Anthea, Anyia, Aprill, Aralynn, Arena, Arina, Arisa, Ariza, Arly, Arma, Aryia, Audre, Aurie, Avanti, Ave, Avila, Avy, Ayari, Ayiana, Azara, Azelia, Azuri, Beata, Bellah, Beryle, Bonnita, Caiya, Cala, Camora, Camya, Carmin, Cayenne, Cece, Chanie, Clarie, Clary, Clea, Cleona, Coni, Conni, Corra, Cricket, Daizy, Dari, Dasie, Deisi, Dela, Dema, Demia, Dera, Dima, Diva, Eevee, Elese, Elianah, Elis, Elize, Elka, Ellar, Ellorie, Emya, Enna, Eri, Eriel, Esly, Esmee, Eufemia, Evalee, Evey, Evi, Eydie, Ezmae, Fancy, Fanta, Florie, Gaelle, Gari, Giabella, Giannah, Gianny, Ginna, Glee, Glori, Ha, Halina, Harlo, Havanna, Hazely, Iana, Idy, Ilia, Ily, Inda, Indi, Inna, Itza, Ivee, Ivorie, Iyona, Iza, Jeena, Jema, Jocie, Joei, Jojo, Joli, Josetta, July, Juna, Juni, Kahli, Kaiah, Kana, Kaoir, Karyna, Katha, Kayra, Kela, Khalea, Khelani, Kiki, Kimya, Kior, Kiri, Kleo, Konnie, Kyri, Lamaya, Landa, Lari, Leira, Leoda, Leoma, Leotha, Letta, Lidya, Ligia, Lillis, Lilyrose, Litzi, Livy, Loa, Lore, Loreta, Loula, Lua, Lumen, Lumi, Lunna, Lylia, Lyna, Lynde, Lynea, Ma, Maevis, Makaia, Makya, Mar, Maraya, Marea, Maribella, Mataya, Matia, Mayar, Meeka, Meela, Meia, Meila, Meka, Mela, Melah, Melana, Mera, Merla, Meya, Milee, Mili, Milka, Milli, Mily, Mio, Moncia, Moxie, Mysha, Nalah, Nani, Narda, Navia, Nela, Nely, Netta, Neyla, Nikka, Nollie, Noni, Olivette, Olla, Patria, Peaches, Perl, Perrie, Persia, Posie, Prisca, Raia, Raini, Raissa, Raiya, Reesa, Rei, Rema, Remie, Resa, Rheya, Rinoa, Riverlyn, Roanna, Romee, Rosaly, Rosebud, Roselia, Rosi, Rossy, Roxi, Roza, Rubina, Runa, Sadi, Sativa, Seleste, Selia, Senna, Shella, Silva, Simi, Solara, Sole, Solei, Soleia, Sonna, Starlet, Starlett, Starlette, Starlyn, Starlynn, Sylva, Taia, Taiya, Tally, Tani, Tava, Teia, Tela, Thera, Tinia, Tiya, Valeta, Valli, Vega, Vela, Veyda, Vila, Villa, Violett, Vivi, Vivia, Vola, Willo, Wrenn, Xandra, Xara, Xia, Xiana, Xoe, Yides, Yuli, Zaidee, Zaila, Zaiya, Zalia, Zanya, Zaylah, Zeena, Zela, Zelia, Zemira, Zera, Zianna, Ziara, Zo, Zooey, Zori, Zoria, Zowie, Zully, Zuly, Zury, Zyanna, Abri, Adalei, Adream, Adri, Ahlia, Alaena, Alexas, Aliz, Alizea, Aluna, Amai, Amzie, Anaeli, Angeleen, Anishka, Anu, Anyae, Aquila, Areya, Arora, Arria, Ase, Astella, Astra, Atina, Atira, Aurorah, Aury, Avanni, Ayde, Aytana, Azalia, Azaylia, Balbina, Bali, Bellami, Briony, Calaya, Caro, Caya, Ceclia, Celes, Charie, Charlei, Chia, Chlora, Chloris, Cielle, Clela, Cuca, Cyana, Dali, Daysy, Desa, Devita, Deysy, Dhalia, Dia, Didi, Domino, Dore, Eevie, Elesa, Ellarie, Ellsie, Emaya, Eria, Esti, Estreya, Evalyne, Evea, Eyla, Eylin, Ezme, Fina, Fleur, Fraya, Galena, Geana, Gola, Goldy, Graciemae, Gyanna, Halli, Hanny, Hazyl, Hedy, Hemen, Hena, Hyacinth, Ica, Iley, Io, Irisa, Isola, Itali, Ivoree, Ivyrose, Iysis, Izel, Jaeli, Jaira, Jamine, Janaia, Jewelle, Jhade, Jinora, Joia, Joury, Jozi, Juri, Juvia, Kaari, Kalii, Kaomi, Katreena, Katura, Kaula, Kayomi, Kayori, Kea, Keeana, Keni, Kharma, Khiya, Kiala, Kiko, Kla, Klaira, Kova, Labella, Laelia, Laini, Lainy, Laiza, Lalla, Larah, Lauria, Leafy, Leara, Leba, Lekia, Lenni, Leyda, Leza, Lilac, Lillah, Lilou, Lilu, Lilymae, Liona, Litha, Lolah, Lorey, Lucyle, Ludy, Luma, Lumina, Lunabella, Lunabelle, Lunah, Lusia, Lylla, Lyrah, Maezie, Maizey, Malva, Maly, Malya, Manna, Margia, Mavie, Mayetta, Mazey, Mazy, Meesha, Meily, Meli, Mella, Meyah, Milanni, Milarose, Minah, Minka, Mirra, Miyori, Monna, Morningstar, Myca, Myna, Nai, Nari, Nayvie, Ndea, Neeka, Neeva, Neli, Nema, Nene, Neya, Neytiri, Niana, Niaya, Nica, Nolie, Norina, Novalyn, Novi, Novia, Noya, Nyelli, Olivine, Onna, Opaline, Oretta, Osha, Ota, Pachia, Para, Piccola, Pina, Pola, Poppi, Prim, Prisma, Rayen, Reah, Reet, Riko, Rin, Romey, Ronia, Rosaland, Rosealee, Rubby, Rubyann, Rukia, Sadee, Saidy, Saiya, Sanii, Sarabi, Savi, September, Seri, Shasha, Siria, Sola, Solar, Solymar, Sonita, Sonyia, Starsha, Stellar, Sua, Syra, Teola, Thena, Thia, Tika, Tila, Tinna, Trini, Tulip, Vala, Valera, Vee, Venia, Veria, Verina, Vi, Videl, Vienne, Vita, Wana, Xanthe, Xariah, Xiara, Xoey, Yalena, Yani, Yaremi, Ysela, Zala, Zarai, Zea, Zeanna, Zenya, Zoi, Zurii, Zynia, Antia, Ayris, Camy, Cataleia, Estellar, Ezella, Fauna, Ivry, Javaeh, Jozee, Kita, Kween, Lavaya, Lenya, Meiah, Melona, Miata, Miela, Mielle, Naz, Nyella, Nyna, Onya, Pama, Surie, Trixy, Abrea, Ahni, Ahnya, Aizel, Aleli, Aleska, Alle, Alveena, Alvita, Alyzae, Amaly, Amei, Ameli, Amicia, Anaka, Anda, Anikah, Annina, Anova, Anye, Araia, Araiah, Ardra, Areal, Ariday, Arita, Arlowe, Aroura, Arzoi, Asmi, Autumm, Aveena, Avonni, Ayira, Aylanni, Azalie, Azelea, Azlee, Baela, Basilia, Belky, Beola, Beza, Bia, Blia, Bona, Casha, Ceci, Cella, Ceria, Cerra, Charina, Chella, Chrysanthemum, Cici, Ciela, Cina, Corita, Dailah, Daisi, Daissy, Daisymae, Daizee, Datha, Dayzee, Deia, Deicy, Delsa, Delsy, Dianca, Dreyah, Ecko, Eimi, Eirene, Elenie, Elleri, Emika, Emony, Emora, Envi, Erine, Eriyah, Erleen, Eryss, Estie, Ezmay, Ezrie, Faline, Faya, Fergie, Fifi, Francy, Franny, Freyah, Frimmy, Gazella, Gem, Gera, Goldye, Gratia, Guila, Hailo, Happiness, Harleyquinn, Heela, Helem, Henya, Hypatia, Icey, Ikeya, Ilee, Indee, Indyah, Ineze, Irys, Ishi, Isys, Itha, Itzy, Ivi, Izela, Javia, Jemini, Jenova, Jezel, Jimma, Jora, Joyia, Julya, Kalya, Kamy, Katiya, Kayari, Kayia, Kehlanie, Kehlanii, Kenniya, Keomi, Kesa, Keta, Keyah, Khaia, Kida, Kiira, Kima, Kiora, Kiyona, Lalisa, Lany, Laurrie, Lavra, Leeloo, Leeona, Leidi, Lenia, Libra, Lien, Lile, Lille, Lilybelle, Lilyian, Linea, Linnell, Livana, Livvie, Liylah, Loda, Lowe, Loza, Lucee, Luciella, Luda, Lulabelle, Lun, Lunarae, Lunarose, Lyly, Lynia, Macaiah, Madolin, Mahli, Malay, Mally, Mane, Marchia, Marny, Marsia, Mati, Mayling, Mayve, Meeya, Meili, Memori, Miaa, Milian, Miniya, Minsa, Miski, Moni, Myan, Naiah, Nary, Navee, Naw, Nayvi, Nebula, Neira, Nelliel, Nera, Nesa, Nevia, Niari, Nimsi, Nini, Noheli, Novalea, Novaly, Nyala, Nyrie, Omi, Orean, Oriya, Ovi, Pascha, Patches, Peony, Perle, Petina, Phala, Piya, Placida, Prima, Quita, Raea, Raysa, Reata, Reeta, Reha, Reia, Remee, Remii, Reni, Reona, Rhaya, Rhina, Rini, Ritta, Riverly, Roda, Rodina, Romilly, Rosea, Rubyrose, Ryka, Saaya, Sady, Sanda, Sanye, Savaya, Savreen, Seela, Seleen, Seleni, Seoni, Sevi, Sherah, Shuna, Siennah, Sila, Siren, Skii, Skya, Skyrah, Solae, Soli, Solyana, Soni, Sonnia, Sosha, Starlee, Starlena, Starletta, Stela, Storii, Sugar, Summar, Sundai, Sunflower, Sya, Syan, Syla, Tallula, Tanai, Tanza, Taraya, Tasi, Tata, Thaila, Tija, Tippi, Tokyo, Ulanni, Uva, Vali, Valree, Veida, Veleka, Velina, Veona, Veora, Verita, Vetta, Veya, Via, Vicy, Vivie, Vivyan, Viya, Vylette, Vyolet, Winna, Winni, Winslet, Xalia, Xalori, Xana, Xoie, Yahvi, Yali, Yalina, Yelina, Zaeda, Zaidy, Zalea, Zanari, Zarra, Zeldy, Zelene, Zeni, Zeola, Zi, Zienna, Ziora, Zoa, Zoii, Zoua, Zurri, Zuzu, Zyia
Brothers: Milo, Felix, Ezra, Jasper, Mateo, Enzo, Theo, Alex, Augustus, Beau, Charlie, Dorian, Hugh, Jayce, Max, Ollie, Oscar, Otto, Rex, Vincent, Xander, Amare, Amias, Aries, Axle, Blaise, Bruno, Buster, Cal, Cass, Cyril, Desi, Dion, Ever, Fox, Gael, Golden, Hardy, Hugo, Jovani, Jules, Kylo, Lenny, Lucca, Maxim, Nico, Nino, Onyx, Orion, Orlando, Remy, Rey, Rico, Rio, Roby, Rocky, Sid, Sonny, Tedd, Tito, Toby, Vander, Vince, Anay, Anjel, Aris, Arno, Aslan, Aven, Bear, Bode, Cai, Coen, Dany, Demian, Elio, Geo, Gio, Giovonni, Jin, Juel, Kalel, Kam, Kamil, Kayvon, Khai, Koah, Koi, Kyro, Lev, Link, Lino, Loris, Luc, Lucious, Mathis, Mayer, Mayo, Micky, Mylo, Neko, Neo, Nery, Odie, Om, Otho, Ozzy, Ren, Roan, Ryver, Sacha, Tai, Taurus, Telly, Teo, Xavi, Xavior, Zeno, Ziggy, Acey, Ade, Adric, Aki, Alban, Albie, Altair, Alto, Amey, Andry, Anthon, Aquarius, Arias, Arlow, Arsen, Augie, Avante, Avel, Blase, Bodi, Caelum, Calem, Calib, Calix, Constant, Copper, Cordae, Corvin, Damein, Deno, Dex, Dom, Domani, Edi, Edy, Elex, Eon, Everet, Fitz, Gryffin, Gryphon, Hero, Hobie, Hoke, Ilo, Isidor, Ivis, Ivo, Jak, Ji, Jianni, Jj, Joss, Jovian, Kaio, Kao, Karmello, Kato, Kei, Keno, Khi, Ki, Leno, Liev, Lucah, Lukah, Lyon, Melo, Miloh, Monti, Myer, Neeko, Neiko, Neri, Nicco, Nilo, Olliver, Orlo, Orry, Paschal, Philo, Pier, Pius, Polo, Quest, Rai, Rainier, Ras, Real, Reco, Reo, Rigel, Roi, Ruffus, Sabin, Sagan, Shyne, Sirius, Strider, Sully, Sun, Sylis, Takari, Tavien, Tavius, Tidus, Toma, Tres, Tyus, Wil, Yanis, Yug, Zael, Zian, Zyire, Anival, Ario, Ariv, Ariz, Arles, Arth, Auggie, Aysen, Bawi, Beni, Benji, Benn, Bow, Brahm, Caillou, Casmir, Costa, Cyris, Czar, Dio, Ein, Escher, Eugen, Evo, Fredi, Fredis, Geddy, Hawke, Hemi, Iliya, Izen, Jayko, Jeno, Jese, Joon, Julez, Kaius, Kalik, Kano, Kanon, Kayo, Keo, Kino, Kiro, Lennin, Light, Lio, Lj, Luby, Lukis, Marinus, Marrio, Maxen, Maxi, Mayco, Meko, Mikhi, Miko, Min, Myheir, Mylez, Nieko, Nik, Nyko, Obi, Odyn, Ohm, Owynn, Pao, Phelix, Pio, Rafa, Remmy, Rhen, Ringo, Sael, Sony, Vian, Winn, Wirt, Xan, Yordy, Yuvin, Zai, Zavior, Zylo, Albi, Cas, Emrik, Gustin, Isador, Khalee, Khriz, Kyros, Leavy, Ruxin, Yeiren, Aari, Aaris, Aerion, Alby, Alyus, Amario, Amiris, Antino, Aro, Arty, Asan, Asaya, Baer, Balen, Barlow, Bengie, Benno, Cavani, Chao, Chino, Cosby, Dhani, Donat, Eddi, Ekko, Elean, Eljay, Elo, Emerik, Emett, Endi, Eze, Felis, Gatsby, Gor, Hairo, Han, Hershey, Iniko, Inri, Isandro, Jaja, Jas, Jekhi, Jhayco, Joa, Julias, Kaido, Kalo, Karo, Khye, Kilo, Kire, Kito, Kovi, Kyi, Kyrus, Lavin, Leny, Louka, Lowen, Lui, Luv, Macio, Mareo, Math, Mazzi, Meeko, Mega, Michi, Mir, Mory, Nasai, Neco, Neer, Ness, Nio, Noar, Nyan, Nylo, Ohn, Oli, Olly, Ondre, Onyxx, Ozil, Prish, Ralphie, Robben, Rocko, Rolen, Samba, Silvan, Simba, Taika, Talis, Tallis, Tavio, Thanos, Tiam, Toa, Ulys, Vivin, Weber, Wilde, Yeico, Yunay, Zaion, Zavi, Zeon, Zeph, Zoel, Zuma
Names like Leo
Names whose popularity has moved with Leo's over the last 50 years.

