Leonard
Leonard is a Christian boy name of Germanic origin, meaning “Brave as a lion”.
| Meaning | Brave as a lion |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Germanic |
| Pronunciation | LEN-erd |
| Tradition | Christian |
| Used in | United States, United Kingdom, Germany |
Meaning and origin of Leonard
Leonard comes from the Germanic Leonhard, joining leon, 'lion' (borrowed from Latin), with hard, 'brave, strong'. It spread through devotion to Saint Leonard of Noblac, a sixth-century Frankish hermit who became patron of prisoners. Leonard Bernstein and Leonard Cohen are famous modern bearers, and the Italian Leonardo is known through Leonardo da Vinci. In everyday English it is often shortened to Len, Lenny or Leo.
Is Leonard a Christian name?
Leonard is a Christian name associated with Saint Leonard of Noblac, widely venerated in medieval Europe; it is not biblical.
How popular is Leonard?
A traditional name, less common for babies today than in the early twentieth century.
Gifts with the name Leonard
- Leonard name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Leonard baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a small commission from these links, at no extra cost to you.
Spellings and variants of Leonard
Names similar to Leonard
More Christian boy names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Leonard mean?
Leonard means 'Brave as a lion'. It is of Germanic origin.
Is Leonard a Christian name?
Leonard is a Christian name associated with Saint Leonard of Noblac, widely venerated in medieval Europe; it is not biblical.
How do you pronounce Leonard?
Leonard is pronounced LEN-erd.
Is Leonard a boy or girl name?
Leonard is usually a boy name.