Leo babies are born between July 23 and August 22 and are known for their confidence, boldness, and leadership characteristics. If you’re expecting a little lion cub of your own, you’ll want to choose a name that reflects these strong personal qualities. With so many unique and meaningful options out there, it can be hard to settle on just one. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the 30 best Leo baby names, each with its own special meaning and significance.
From traditional to modern, these names are sure to inspire you as you prepare to welcome your new bundle of joy into the world. For both boys and girls, the Leo prefix is a very popular option, and we will share many of these as well as some Leo baby names that are a touch more subtle. Prepare to discover the best name for your little lion!
Best Leo Baby Names for Girls
Aurelia
Aurelia is a name of Latin origin that means “golden one.” This gorgeous name highlights the color associated with the sign, gold. It also reflects the color of a lion’s coat. The name is on the rise in the US and is firmly in the top 500 most popular names for girls.
Marigold
Another name that features the gold element is Marigold. This darling flower name debuted in the top 1000 most popular names for girls for the very first time in 2022! We are thrilled that more new parents have been choosing this posh appellation for their daughters.
Orla
Orla is a name of Irish origin that is currently on fire in the UK. The root of this name means “golden princess.” Sadly, the name has gone virtually unused in the US. We hope more parents discover its Celtic charms. For a more traditional Irish spelling, go with Orlaith or Orlagh.
Summer
Leo babies are summer babies, so it’s a smart choice to choose the season as a name. Summer has been a popular name for girls since the 1970s. The most recent baby name ranking data shows that this appellation is the 153rd most chosen name for girls.
Cyra
Cyra is a name of Persian and Greek origin, a feminine form of Cyrus. Leo’s ruling planet is actually the sun so appellations that are about brightness and sunshine are very much appropriate. Cyra means “sun” and “throne.” Both SEER-a or CY-ra are appropriate pronunciations, and we prefer the former.
Idalia
Though mostly unknown in the US, Idalia is a popular name for girls in Poland today. The name is of Greek origin and means “behold the sun.” Not bad, right? Further, Idalia is a byname for the goddess Aphrodite.
Leonie
Leonie is a German and French name of Latin origin that means “lion.” The name was once popular in the US but that’s not been the case for over 100 years! It’s time to bring this vintage charmer back to prominence. The name is currently a wildly popular option in central Europe.
Solana
Fans of singer-songwriter SZA know that her birth name is Solana Rowe. Solana is a name of Spanish origin that means “sunshine.” It’s a nod to Leo’s governing planet, and it sounds light and bright as well. You get some killer nickname options with this one, like Sol, Lana, Lala, etc.
Sunday
If your Leo baby girl happens to be born on a Sunday, don’t miss the chance to choose the day as a given name. Sunday is an English name of Latin origin that means “day of the sun.” Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban chose it for their daughter. We hope other parents follow in their footsteps.
Sunniva
You will want to pronounce this one SOON-ee-va. Sunniva is a Scandinavian name with deep ties to Norway. In fact, the name belongs to a patron saint of western Norway. This upbeat name means “gift of the sun,” and you have the option of going with Sunni or Eva as nicknames!
Ariel
With the popularity of the new The Little Mermaid remake, we expect the name Ariel to get a boost. Ariel is a unisex name of Hebrew origin that means “lion of God.” In Israel, Ariel is used much or more for boys, but in the US, more than three times as many baby girls are given the name. Ariel is also the symbolic name of Jerusalem.
Hestia
Hestia is a classic name found in Greek mythology, belonging to the goddess of the hearth and home. Thus, the appellation is taken to mean “fireside” and “hearth.” Fire is Leo’s element, so names with fiery meanings should totally be considered.
Aelia
Aelia is an ancient Roman name that most people have never heard. You want to pronounce this one as EE-lee-ah. With the popularity of names like Ellie and Ella, this one could be a unique alternative. This beautiful option means “the sun.”
Zari
Zari is a short form of the Persian name Zarin, meaning “golden.” We think this zesty appellation should be on more parents’ radars. It has never been a popular option in the US, but it really should be.
Leocadia
A name with Leo baked-in, Leocadia is of Spanish origin and means “stunning brightness.” With five syllables, this is a pretty elaborate name, but because of them, there are so many nickname possibilities. Lee, Leo, Cady, Dee, Dia, etc.
Best Leo Baby Names for Boys
Aurelio
Aurelio is an Italian form of the Latin name Aurelius, meaning “the golden one.” As gold is the color most associated with Leo, we feel this name really hits the spot. The name resurfaced on the top 1000 most popular baby names in 2022 after being absent from the list since 1983! We are so happy this delightful appellation is back!
Cyrus
Leo is ruled by the sun, so baby names that incorporate it into their meaning are fitting. Cyrus is a storied name of Persian origin, meaning “sun” and “throne.” The name has been climbing after hitting an all-time low in the 1970s. Keep the momentum going by bestowing this name on your son.
Elio
Elio is such a playful name of Italian and Spanish origin that shares the same root with the Greek sun god, Helios. Thus, this name also means “sun.” Elio has been very popular in France in recent years, and it finally landed on enough birth certificates in the US to rank in the top 1000 in 2021 and 2022.
Leo
You can skip all the pleasantries and skip right to the point by choosing the name Leo for your son. The name is of Latin origin and means “lion.” As a given name, Leo is more popular than ever before in the US. But that’s not to say that this name is a new trend. The name has been in the top 500 since baby name data started being tallied by the Social Security Administration in 1880.
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Archie
Leos are known for their intrepid bravery. This makes names that highlight that characteristic most attractive. Archie is a short form of Archibald, a name of Teutonic origin, meaning “truly brave.” After Meghan Markle and Prince Harry chose the name for their first child, it took off again in the US. It’s now a top 500 choice!
Everett
Another name to make big gains in recent years is Everett. The name is more popular today in the US than ever before! The name is of English and German origin and means “brave as a wild boar.”
Ari
Ari is a unisex short form of Ariel, a name of Hebrew origin that means “lion of God.” The name has been a popular one in the US since the 1970s. Ari is popular in Israel, of course, but also in all majority English-speaking countries.
Wyatt
Wyatt has enjoyed immense popularity in recent decades. The name contains an English root that means “brave in war.” A perfect meaning for a courageous Leo baby.
Laith
Laith is an attractive name that you will find in both Scottish and Arabic naming traditions. The Scottish connection makes this name a really popular option in the UK. There it means “wet,” as it is associated with the river Leith in Edinburgh. We turn to the Arabic translation for the Leo connection, as the appellation means “lion.” The name has never been popular in the US, but we think it’s a real winner.
Hamza
Hamza has been a mildly popular name in the US since the 1990s. It has never cracked the top 500, but that could totally change in the next year or two as it has some winds in its sails. Hamza is a name of Arabic origin that means “lion” and “strong,” both connections to Leo.
Samson
Over the past several years, Samson has been more popular than ever before in the US. The name is also popular in the UK today. Samson is a name of Hebrew origin that means “sun.” The name is, of course, associated with the Biblical Samson and Delilah, but thanks to its growing popularity, the appellation has started to shake that image.
Aslan
Aslan has never been a popular name in the US, but we think more parents are taking notice of it. However, the name is currently having a moment in Azerbaijan. The appellation is of Turkish origin and means “lion.” For fans of the Chronicles of Narnia, this name should be familiar.
Leander
If you’re looking for a name that stands apart from the ubiquity of Leo and Leonardo, consider the Greek name Leander. It has not been popular in the US since the 1960s. However, in Germany and Norway, the name is a really popular choice today. It’s got an old man-name vibe to it that we think many parents could be into. The root of this name means “lion-man.”
Leonidas
If you’re looking to bridge the gap between a rare name like Leander and a popular one like Leo, consider Leonidas. The name has been on a steep climb in the US since the 1990s. It’s popular but not overly so. Leonidas is a name of Greek origin that seems to command respect. It means “lion.”
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McCoy
McCoy is the Irish answer to the Scottish name McKay. This name is begging you to use the nickname, Mack. The root of this name is “fire,” a nod to Leo’s element. McCoy is newly popular as a given name in the US, first landing in the top 1000 in 2020.
Choosing the perfect name for your Leo baby can be a fun and exciting task. With our list of 30 best Leo baby names to guide you, you’re sure to find a name that captures your little one’s unique qualities and spirit. Whether you opt for a traditional or modern name, it’s important to choose something that holds special meaning and significance for you and your family.
We hope this list has given you some inspiration and helped you narrow down your options. Congratulations on your bundle of joy, and may your little lion cub grow up to be a strong, confident, and successful leader!