A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Liona since 1909
Babies named Liona per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2021, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Liona's real moment was 1909.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 6 |
| 1910s | 17 |
| 1920s | 11 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 28 |
| 2010s | 80 |
| 2020s | 77 |
Meaning & origin
Liona first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1909, peaking that same year before falling out of common use. For decades it remained a rare choice, but the name has been rising again since 2001, reflecting a broader trend of vintage and mythological names regaining favor. With a current rank of 6,325 and a 1-in-89,293 rate of usage in 2025, it remains uncommon but recognizable. Its meaning, rooted in the Greek word for lion, gives it a strong, natural imagery that appeals to modern parents seeking short and elegant names. While its top states are not recorded, its distribution suggests broad but sparse use across the country.
Liona is a feminine form of the Greek name Leon, meaning 'lion.' It emerged in English-speaking countries as a variant of Leona or a direct borrowing from Greek. The name has seen sporadic use since the early 1900s, with a modest peak in 1909 before declining and recently experiencing a revival.
“Liona” around the world
Where Liona lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lea, Lia, Lili
Sibling names for Liona
Names that share Liona's style, for a brother or sister.
