Declining since 2022, #13,208 for girls today.
Popularity of Leone since 1880
Babies named Leone per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Leone's real moment was 1904.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 125 | 0 |
| 1890s | 417 | 0 |
| 1900s | 874 | 0 |
| 1910s | 1,837 | 26 |
| 1920s | 1,453 | 39 |
| 1930s | 676 | 5 |
| 1940s | 350 | 6 |
| 1950s | 200 | 5 |
| 1960s | 101 | 0 |
| 1970s | 18 | 10 |
| 1980s | 12 | 0 |
| 1990s | 5 | 26 |
| 2000s | 14 | 49 |
| 2010s | 48 | 154 |
| 2020s | 52 | 135 |
Meaning & origin
Leone is a name of Latin origin meaning 'lion', with its roots in the ancient Roman cognomen 'Leo'. Its usage as a given name is most notable in Italy and Spain, where it has been used for centuries. In the United States, Leone has never been widely popular: it ranked #13208 in 2025, a position reflecting its rarity. The name's peak popularity was in 1904, suggesting it was used modestly in the early 20th century before falling out of common use. Leone is classified as unisex, though historical data leans toward male usage. The name's trajectory shows a decline since 2022, indicating its continued obscurity. Its uppercase letters, L and E, evoke a strong, classic sound, and the name remains a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with Latin heritage and animal symbolism.
Derived from Latin 'leo', meaning 'lion'. Used as a given name in Italy and Spain, also a surname. Rare in English-speaking countries, where it is sometimes a variant of Leon.
Where Leone 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.
“Leone” around the world
Where Leone lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
25
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Leo
Sibling names for Leone
Names that share Leone's style, for a brother or sister.
