Leo is an extremely popular boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #3 in 2025 with 3,278 recorded births. This places Leo in the top 1% of ranked UK boys' names for the year. Its actual usage is classified as Very Popular. The name reached its all-time peak in 2017 with 3,781 births ranking #7. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 2,100.0%. In 2025, approximately 1 in every 83 boys born was named Leo. STABLE Recent data shows the name is currently stable.
Leo is a major classic meaning "lion". It is one of those rare short names that feel both ancient and perfectly current.
The name has been used since antiquity and later spread widely through saints, popes, and royal or literary tradition. Its modern popularity comes from how much strength and warmth it packs into three letters.