embrisa.
embrisa.
Theme
Masculine

Leon

ˈliː.ɒn

Lion

Greek

How to say it

LE · on

ˈliː.ɒn

What it means

Greek leōn ('lion'), the same root as Leo. The Spanish León gave its name to the city in Mexico and to a Spanish kingdom. Léon the Professional (1994) is the strongest modern English-language anchor.

Leon comes from the Greek leōn ('lion'), the same root as Leo, Leonardo, Leonid, and the city of León in Spain. Six popes took the name (Pope Leo I 'the Great' through Leo XIII), but the Latin form Leo is what's typically used in church contexts. The Spanish-speaking and German-speaking worlds use Leon as a given name in its own right. Léon the Professional (Luc Besson's 1994 film, Jean Reno as the title character) is the strongest modern English-language anchor. The English Leon has been climbing the US charts since 2010, particularly in Latino families. Common short: Leo (which is its own standalone name).

How to spell Leon

The standard spelling is Leon. Common variants include León, Leo, Leonid, but Leon is the most widely used form.

Popularity over time

#10 #100 #1 #52418802025

peaked at #73 in 1926, currently #138 in 2025.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving

Heads-up notes

  • Pronunciation

    LEE-on (English) or LAY-ohn (Spanish León). The Spanish accent on the O changes the stress.

Who's worn it

Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.

  • Léon the Professional Jean Reno's character in Luc Besson's 1994 film
  • Leon Trotsky Russian revolutionary and rival of Stalin, 1879-1940

Spelling variants

  • León
  • Leo
  • Leonid

Common questions

What does the name Leon mean?
Greek leōn ('lion'), the same root as Leo. The Spanish León gave its name to the city in Mexico and to a Spanish kingdom. Léon the Professional (1994) is the strongest modern English-language anchor.
What does Leon mean in Greek?
In Greek, Leon means "Lion." Leon comes from the Greek leōn ('lion'), the same root as Leo, Leonardo, Leonid, and the city of León in Spain. Six popes took the name (Pope Leo I 'the Great' through Leo XIII), but the Latin form Leo is what's typically used in church contexts. The Spanish-speaking and German-speaking worlds use Leon as a given name in its own right. Léon the Professional (Luc Besson's 1994 film, Jean Reno as the title character) is the strongest modern English-language anchor. The English Leon has been climbing the US charts since 2010, particularly in Latino families. Common short: Leo (which is its own standalone name).
How do you pronounce Leon?
Leon is pronounced ˈliː.ɒn. Say it as LE-on, with the stress on the "le" syllable.
How do you spell Leon?
The standard spelling is Leon. Common spelling variants include León, Leo, Leonid.
Is Leon a boy or girl name?
Leon is traditionally a masculine name.
How popular is the name Leon?
Leon ranked #138 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.