Leonardo

boyGermanicChristian

Leonardo is a Christian boy name of Germanic, via Italian origin, meaning “Brave as a lion”.

MeaningBrave as a lion
GenderBoy
OriginGermanic, via Italian
Pronunciationlay-oh-NAR-doh
TraditionChristian
Used inItaly, Brazil, Mexico, Spain

Meaning and origin of Leonardo

Leonardo is the Italian, Spanish and Portuguese form of Leonhard, a Germanic name joining leon 'lion', borrowed from Latin, with hard 'brave, hardy'. The sixth-century Frankish hermit Saint Leonard of Noblac made it popular across medieval Europe. Its most famous bearer is Leonardo da Vinci, the Renaissance painter and inventor, and the actor Leonardo DiCaprio has kept it in the public eye.

Is Leonardo a Christian name?

Leonardo is a Christian name through Saint Leonard of Noblac, patron of prisoners and women in childbirth. It is not a biblical name.

How popular is Leonardo?

Very popular today in Italy, Brazil and much of Latin America, and rising in the United States.

Gifts with the name Leonardo

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Spellings and variants of Leonardo

LeonardLeonhardLéonardLennartLeo

Names similar to Leonardo

More Christian boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Leonardo mean?

Leonardo means 'Brave as a lion'. It is of Germanic, via Italian origin.

Is Leonardo a Christian name?

Leonardo is a Christian name through Saint Leonard of Noblac, patron of prisoners and women in childbirth. It is not a biblical name.

How do you pronounce Leonardo?

Leonardo is pronounced lay-oh-NAR-doh.

Is Leonardo a boy or girl name?

Leonardo is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.