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

Popularity of Lyon by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Lyon is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 52 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Lyon.

The history of the first name Lyon

The name Lyon has its origins in the French language, derived from the Latin name Leo, meaning "lion." It has been in use since ancient times and has a rich history that spans across various cultures and time periods.

The name Lyon is closely tied to the city of Lyon in eastern France, which was founded as a Roman colony in 43 BC under the name Colonia Copia Claudia Augusta Lugdunum. The city's name is believed to come from the Celtic word "Lug," meaning "hill" or "high ground," and "dunum," meaning "fortress" or "town."

In Greek mythology, the name Lyon has connections to the mythical creature known as the Nemean Lion, a ferocious beast that terrorized the region of Nemea. This lion was eventually slain by the Greek hero Heracles (Hercules in Roman mythology) as part of his Twelve Labors.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lyon can be found in the Bible's Book of Genesis, where it is mentioned as the name of one of the sons of Gad. In the New Testament, there is a reference to a woman named Lydia, whose name is derived from the same root as Lyon.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Lyon. One of the earliest examples is Lyon Gardiner Tyler (1853-1935), a historian, and the son of the 10th President of the United States, John Tyler. Another prominent figure was Lyon Playfair (1818-1898), a British chemist and politician who served as the Postmaster General of the United Kingdom.

In the realm of literature, Lyon Sprague de Camp (1907-2000) was an American author and biographer known for his works in the science fiction and fantasy genres. Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr. (1924-1935), the grandson of President John Tyler, was a notable historian and author who specialized in the history of the American Civil War.

Finally, Lyon Richardson (1838-1892) was a Union Army officer during the American Civil War and later served as the United States Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have carried the name Lyon, a name with a rich cultural heritage and connections to ancient mythology, biblical texts, and various historical figures across different fields and professions.

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 Lyon was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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