Holding steady.
Popularity of Leonce since 1882
Babies named Leonce per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1925, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Leonce's real moment was 1895.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 17 |
| 1890s | 12 |
| 1900s | 11 |
| 1910s | 81 |
| 1920s | 107 |
| 1930s | 67 |
| 1940s | 59 |
| 1950s | 19 |
| 1960s | 28 |
| 1970s | 20 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 10 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Leonce is a French masculine name derived from Latin, meaning 'lion-like.' Historically, it saw its highest usage in the 1890s, with a peak in 1895, reflecting a period when ornate, classical names were favored in France and among French-speaking communities. Despite its early appeal, Leonce has never entered the U.S. top 1000 and remains a rarity, with no recorded births in recent decades. The name's trajectory is stable but virtually extinct in contemporary American naming. Its only notable variation, Leonce itself, shows no recorded top states, suggesting a scattered, low-frequency presence. For parents seeking a distinctive, historically rooted name with a strong meaning, Leonce offers a unique option rarely encountered.
Leonce is derived from the Latin name Leonius, a diminutive of Leo, meaning 'lion.' The name was used in early Christian contexts, associated with several saints including Saint Leonce of Toulouse. In France, it gained modest popularity in the 19th and early 20th centuries, especially in the 1890s when it peaked. It remains a classic, if uncommon, French name.
“Leonce” around the world
Where Leonce lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
60
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Leo
Variants: Leonce
Sibling names for Leonce
Names that share Leonce's style, for a brother or sister.
