Leona

How to say it

liˈoʊ.nə

What it means

Latin, the feminine of Leo, 'lioness.'

Leona is the feminine of Leo, straightforwardly 'lioness,' from the Latin leo. It has a vintage warmth and a quiet ferocity, sharing the lion root with Leo, Leon, and Leonora. Singer Leona Lewis is a prominent modern bearer. It is riding the early-1900s revival back into use. Leo, Lee, and Nona are the shorts.

How to spell Leona

The standard spelling is Leona. Common variants include Leonie, Leonna, Liona, but Leona is the most widely used form.

Heads-up notes

• Nickname

  Leo, Lee, and Nona all work as shorts.

• Spelling

  The feminine of Leo; same lion root as Leon and Leonora.

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.

• Leona Lewis British singer

Spelling variants

• Leonie
• Leonna
• Liona

Names with the same feeling

• Leo Lion
• Leon Lion
• Nova New, bright star
• Vera Truth, or 'faith'
• Mila Gracious, dear

See Leona from another angle

Common questions

What does the name Leona mean?

Latin, the feminine of Leo, 'lioness.'

What does Leona mean in Latin?

In Latin, Leona means "Lioness." Leona is the feminine of Leo, straightforwardly 'lioness,' from the Latin leo. It has a vintage warmth and a quiet ferocity, sharing the lion root with Leo, Leon, and Leonora. Singer Leona Lewis is a prominent modern bearer. It is riding the early-1900s revival back into use. Leo, Lee, and Nona are the shorts.

How do you pronounce Leona?

Leona is pronounced liˈoʊ.nə. Say it as le-O-na, with the stress on the "o" syllable.

How do you spell Leona?

The standard spelling is Leona. Common spelling variants include Leonie, Leonna, Liona.

Is Leona a boy or girl name?

Leona is traditionally a feminine name.

How popular is the name Leona?

Leona ranked #429 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.