Rising since 1997, #7,194 for boys today.
Popularity of Leonides since 1920
Babies named Leonides per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2015, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Leonides's real moment was 2024.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 24 |
| 1930s | 13 |
| 1940s | 24 |
| 1950s | 19 |
| 1960s | 87 |
| 1970s | 73 |
| 1980s | 78 |
| 1990s | 85 |
| 2000s | 84 |
| 2010s | 141 |
| 2020s | 65 |
Meaning & origin
Leonides first appeared in U.S. records in 1920, but remained obscure for decades. Its recent trajectory shows a rise since 1997, with a new peak rank of 7,194 in 2025, where 1 in 155,280 boys received the name. The name's classical Greek patronymic structure appeals to parents drawn to mythology and history, though it has not yet entered widespread use. While no U.S. states show particular concentration, Leonides fits a broader trend of revival for ancient -ides names.
Leonides is a Greek patronymic derived from Leon (meaning 'lion') combined with the suffix -ides ('son of'). It was used in ancient times and appears in classical literature. The name has seen occasional use in English-speaking countries, often as a variant or elaboration of Leon or Leonard.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Leo, Leon, Lee
Variants: Leonidas
Sibling names for Leonides
Names that share Leonides's style, for a brother or sister.
