A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Leona since 1880
Babies named Leona per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Leona's real moment was 1905.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 2,151 |
| 1890s | 5,083 |
| 1900s | 9,848 |
| 1910s | 23,825 |
| 1920s | 26,031 |
| 1930s | 14,173 |
| 1940s | 9,028 |
| 1950s | 5,641 |
| 1960s | 3,695 |
| 1970s | 2,024 |
| 1980s | 1,355 |
| 1990s | 935 |
| 2000s | 1,487 |
| 2010s | 4,297 |
| 2020s | 3,757 |
Meaning & origin
Leona has been recorded since at least 1880, when Social Security Administration data begins. It reached its peak rank of 1 in 1905, making it a classic early-20th-century choice. After a long decline, the name has been rising again since 1994, and as of 2025 it ranks 429th (1 in 2,223 births). The name is most common in Montana, Wisconsin, and Washington, reflecting a Midwestern and Western affinity. Its revival fits a broader trend for vintage names with a strong, natural meaning.
Leona is the feminine form of Leon, derived from the Latin word 'leo', meaning lion. The name has been used across Europe since the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking and German-speaking countries. It experienced a peak in popularity in the early 1900s.
Where Leona is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Leona” around the world
Where Leona lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
65
babies in 2024
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
Quebec
14
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lee, Leo, Lena
Variants: Leone, Léona
Sibling names for Leona
Names that share Leona's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Vera, June, Rosalie, Evie, Clara, Almira, Genia, Lanita, Leota, Loretha, Renata, Rose, Salome, Alda, Almeta, Anitra, Arlet, Cleone, Cleora, Daphney, Delora, Devona, Diona, Inell, Kenna, Keyonna, Lanora, Lavada, Lavonna, Leonna, Loran, Louanna, Lynna, Malina, Meranda, Merna, Myrl, Naoma, Neoma, Raena, Reita, Remona, Adonna, Aella, Aloma, Ardena, Belvia, Cledith, Cleona, Damia, Elyanna, Gaila, Jaelle, Ledora, Leoda, Leoma, Leondra, Leotha, Levada, Levonia, Loleta, Macel, Mayda, Medora, Odetta, Olean, Oletha, Onita, Reeda, Senia, Sharona, Sylva, Tava, Terriona, Tomara, Towana, Valeta, Verma, Zenna, Zondra, Adonia, Aireona, Areatha, Avonna, Davine, Daviona, Inetta, Ionna, Jawana, Ladena, Lamona, Lavita, Leara, Leathia, Leeta, Lenay, Lenea, Leonda, Litha, Lourene, Louvinia, Lurine, Luwana, Marcea, Marcha, Oveda, Rayona, Ronya, Samona, Teona, Theona, Tyona, Veneda, Alyda, Adaleyza, Adine, Andora, Areona, Armetta, Cecia, Cresta, Cynia, Danaka, Deina, Dianca, Ellaria, Elzada, Gerarda, Glema, Idonna, Inetha, Jatoya, Jayona, Jetaun, Karn, Laneta, Lendora, Lenoria, Leomia, Lowana, Luwanda, Mionna, Onetta, Quida, Reata, Reona, Romonia, Shandiin, Thiana, Tiauna, Veona, Versia, Violanda, Wahneta, Waneda, Wanona
Brothers: Emery, Oscar, Felix, Hugo, Julian, Antron, Demetrious, Galen, Leron, Rufus, Bastian, Collis, Florian, Lamarr, Lamon, Lugene, Ottis, Tanis, Cordaro, Dujuan, Izell, Kenard, Labron, Lelon, Lemont, Leno, Leodis, Leotis, Leovanni, Lerone, Lion, Orlanda, Delno, Elray, Emileo, Euclid, Eulice, Kelon, Leodan, Leomar, Levell, Liston, Lonza, Quitman, Rayshun, Ronrico, Leavy, Alarick, Anthone, Byford, Deanglo, Elzia, Erasto, Jayleon, Karas, Lavalle, Leeon, Lemond, Leondro, Leonidus, Leontae, Leonte, Levaughn, Levorn, Mareo, Maricus, Myreon, Teven, Ulice
Names like Leona
Names whose popularity has moved with Leona's over the last 50 years.
