Leonard is a distinctive boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #554 in 1998 with 33 recorded births. This places Leonard in the top 15% of ranked UK boys' names for the year. Its actual usage is classified as Uncommon. The name reached its all-time peak in 2019 with 235 births ranking #217. Since 1996, the popularity has decreased by 15.4%. In 1998, approximately 1 in every 9,408 boys born was named Leonard. STABLE Recent data shows the name is currently stable.
Leonard is a strong old Germanic name meaning "lion-hearted" or "brave as a lion". It has a long, steady history and a solid, dependable feel.
The name spread across Europe through saints and noble use and later remained familiar in English. Its modern appeal is often softened through shorter forms like Leo, Lennie, or Lenny.