Leonardo means brave lion — from the Germanic leon (lion) and hard (brave/hardy). Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa, designed flying machines, and was the greatest polymath in human history. Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the biggest movie stars alive. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Leonardo leads with honour. Four syllables of Renaissance genius and lion-hearted bravery.
Germanic leon (lion) + hard (brave/hardy)→Italian Leonardo
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Germanic / Portuguese / Spanish roots
Leonardo comes from Germanic elements meaning brave lion. Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) painted the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, designed flying machines and anatomical drawings, and is universally regarded as the greatest polymath in history. Leonardo DiCaprio won the Oscar for The Revenant and is one of the most environmentally active celebrities. Leonardo is also the leader of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
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First recorded
Earliest known use: Medieval Italy; Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) is the defining bearer.
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Today
Leonardo remains a beloved choice, ranking #89 in the US. 92,384 babies have been named Leonardo since 1885.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names, Britannica, SSA data
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How popular is Leonardo?
2019peak year
Leonardo entered U.S. records in 1885, near the turn of the 20th century. Its popularity climbed over the following decades. In 2019, 4,425 babies were named Leonardo (ranked #86 nationally). Today it sits inside the top hundred (#89), with roughly 4,149 babies named Leonardo each year. Leonardo's usage has held roughly steady recently. In total, around 92,384 babies have been registered with this name since 1880.
Year-by-year registrations1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
Leonardo's Life Path 5 is the adventurer's number — Renaissance adventure. People named Leonardo tend to be curious about everything, gifted in multiple fields, and driven to explore every corner of human knowledge.
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Curious about everything
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Multi-field genius
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Renaissance soul
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Brave as a lion
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Explores all knowledge
L3
E5
O6
N5
A1
R9
D4
O6
Sum: 39 → Life path 3
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Personality of Leonardo
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Bright & creative
Imaginative, expressive, endlessly inventive.
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Magnetic warmth
Their laugh is contagious. People love being near them.
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Eternal optimist
Even in dark moments they find the light.
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Storyteller
They can describe anything and make it fascinating.
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