Find out how popular the first name Leonardo has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Leonardo by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Leonardo is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Leonardo being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 4,012 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Leonardo.

The history of the first name Leonardo

The name Leonardo has its origins in the Italian language, derived from the Italian and Medieval Latin words "leon" meaning lion and "ardo" meaning bold or hardy. It emerged during the Middle Ages in Italy as a given name bearing the meaning "brave as a lion" or "lion-hearted".

The earliest known record of the name Leonardo dates back to the late 11th century, with mentions in Italian historical documents and records from various communes and cities. One of the earliest notable individuals bearing this name was Leonardo da Vinci, the renowned Italian polymath, artist, and Renaissance figure, born in 1452 in Vinci, near Florence, and who passed away in 1519.

Over the centuries, the name Leonardo has been associated with several other influential individuals across various fields. Leonardo Fibonacci, the Italian mathematician who introduced the Fibonacci sequence to the Western world, lived from around 1170 to 1240. Leonardo Bruni, an Italian humanist and historian, was a prominent figure of the Renaissance, born in 1370 and died in 1444.

In the realm of art and literature, Leonardo da Vinci stands out as one of the most iconic bearers of this name, renowned for his masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. Another notable figure was Leonardo da Porto Maurizio, an Italian Catholic preacher and saint who lived from 1676 to 1751.

The name Leonardo has also been carried by notable figures in science and exploration. Leonardo Torriani, an Italian mathematician and astronomer, lived from 1559 to 1628 and made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics. Leonardo Murialdo, an Italian priest and saint, lived from 1828 to 1900 and is revered for his work in education and social welfare.

While the name Leonardo has its roots in Italy, it has since spread to other parts of the world, with various spellings and adaptations in different languages. However, the essence of its meaning, "brave as a lion," has remained a common thread throughout its history, making it a name often associated with courage, strength, and determination.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Leonardo was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Leonardo, please contact us.

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