Rising since 1985, #91 for boys today.
Popularity of Leonardo since 1885
Babies named Leonardo per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 0 |
| 1900s | 38 |
| 1910s | 256 |
| 1920s | 508 |
| 1930s | 427 |
| 1940s | 526 |
| 1950s | 879 |
| 1960s | 1,400 |
| 1970s | 2,467 |
| 1980s | 3,194 |
| 1990s | 7,285 |
| 2000s | 19,490 |
| 2010s | 35,230 |
| 2020s | 24,361 |
Meaning & origin
Leonardo has been in steady use in the United States since it was first recorded in 1885, but its popularity has surged dramatically since 1985. The name reached its peak rank in 2022, and as of 2025 it ranks 91st nationally, with about 1 in 451 boys given the name. Its strongest states are Nevada, California, and Arizona, reflecting a broad appeal across the West and Southwest. The name's trajectory shows consistent rise over decades, driven by cultural visibility and a classic yet artistic sound. Leonardo's enduring charm lies in its combination of strength and creativity, offering parents a name with deep historical roots and modern resonance.
Leonardo is the Italian form of the Old High German name Leonhard, composed of 'leon' (lion) and 'hardu' (brave or hardy). It was introduced to Italy through Germanic tribes and became a classic Italian name, famously borne by the Renaissance polymath Leonardo da Vinci.
Where Leonardo 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.
“Leonardo” around the world
Where Leonardo lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
90
babies in 2024
Ireland
25
babies in 2025
New Zealand
16
babies in 2025
Quebec
28
babies in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#79
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
Nicknames: Leo, Lenny, Leo
Sibling names for Leonardo
Names that share Leonardo's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Sofia, Isabella, Alessandra, Valentina, Chiara, Camila, Carlotta, Catarina, Fabiola, Giada, Lauretta, Leonora, Violeta, Antonina, Delfina, Eleonora, Fabiana, Matilde, Melania, Rafaela, Romelia, Teodora, Anella, Arietta, Berenise, Cesilia, Giorgia, Ilianna, Leonarda, Letizia, Manuella, Olimpia, Yolando, Anthonella, Armeda, Elisabetta, Franceska, Izadora, Linnaea, Lucciana, Ornella, Eduarda, Fiorela, Princessa, Valerya
Brothers: Lorenzo, Matteo, Francesco, Alessandro, Gabriele, Alfredo, Alphonso, Aurelio, Dante, Federico, Florentino, Giacomo, Luciano, Marcelo, Napoleon, Ronaldo, Santiago, Sebastian, Teodoro, Valentino, Adalberto, Amadeo, Amando, Augusto, Cecilio, Dagoberto, Ezio, Fausto, Gianluca, Lisandro, Marino, Michaelangelo, Michelangelo, Osbaldo, Renaldo, Tiago, Vittorio, Alesandro, Alphonza, Amedeo, Amelio, Cayetano, Cesare, Damiano, Donatello, Ettore, Fabricio, Filippo, Fortunato, Frederico, Froylan, Giuliano, Giulio, Isaia, Leovanni, Mattia, Nicanor, Niccolo, Octaviano, Reginaldo, Renardo, Severiano, Teofilo, Umberto, Valerio, Alfio, Amerigo, Arthuro, Edoardo, Edvardo, Eliano, Elizandro, Favio, Galileo, Gianlucca, Giulian, Graciano, Honorio, Ignazio, Ilario, Juliano, Liandro, Lissandro, Maxemiliano, Oliverio, Romolo, Romualdo, Vinicio, Gianlucas, Alesso, Alexsandro, Davinci, Devario, Ennio, Giano, Laureano, Lautaro, Lenardo, Leondro, Lionardo, Lucciano, Luchiano, Maximiano, Medardo, Romaldo
Names like Leonardo
Names whose popularity has moved with Leonardo's over the last 50 years.
