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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Brave/strong lion (or, by an alternate reading, 'hardy people')
- Origin
- Germanic (Old High German)
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- LEN-urd
Leonard is a boy's name with deep vintage, classic roots, traced to Germanic (Old High German) origins. It's built from elements meaning 'brave' or 'strong' and 'lion' — though some read it instead as 'hardy people.' It's pronounced LEN-urd (/ˈlɛnərd/), a straightforward, sturdy sound to match its meaning.
Meaning & Origin of Leonard
Meaning: Brave/strong lion (or, by an alternate reading, 'hardy people').
Origin: Germanic (Old High German).
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Leonard
LEN-urdIPA /ˈlɛnərd/
Popularity of Leonard
Leonard hit its high point in 1923, when it ranked #37 and 5,486 baby boys were given the name. By 2024 it had fallen to #673 with just 404 boys named Leonard, based on Social Security data spanning 1880 to 2024.
Names Like Leonard
These names share Leonard’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Leonard mean?
Brave/strong lion (or, by an alternate reading, ‘hardy people’). (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Leonard?
Leonard is pronounced LEN-urd (IPA: /ˈlɛnərd/).
Is Leonard a popular name right now?
Leonard peaked at #37 in 1923 and is ranked #673 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Leonard Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Leonard, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Leonard? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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