Names That Mean Lion

An old-timey boyish nickname that works as a diminutive of Leona or Leonie, Alondra, Lorna or any female name with strong L and N sounds.

This popular boy name is occasionally used for girls, too. (Seven of them in 2022.)

Overly ambitious choice, recently borne by the hapless hero of cult movie hit Napoleon Dynamite.

This form got noticed as the first name of long-reigning Russian president Brezhnev; other bearers include playwright and short-story writer Andreyev, Leonid the Magnificent,a Russian performance artist on America's Got Talent, and Leonid McGill, the protagonist of a Walter Mosley private eye series. All in all, though, Leonid is not the most likely to join the pride of lion-related names here.

Aryeh, which can also be spelled Arye or Arieh, is a Biblical name sometimes heard in modern Israel. In the US, this is the most popular spelling by far, given to 100 boys last year. But the girls' form Ariyah is much more popular than that, given to nearly 500 baby girls.

Traditional African name made cartoonish by the Disney character in The Lion King. In Shona it means "strength".

A distinctively Welsh name that's feeling more and more usable these days.

This biblical name, pronounced ahr yeh, is a not uncommon boys' name in Israel. It can also be spelled Aryeh , the most popular form by far, or Arieh. The feminine equivalent is Levi'a. Possible down side: Its similarity to the hot girl name Arya or Aria.

Lionel is yet another traditional boy's name entering the girls' column--at least once-- via prizewinning novelist Lionel (born Margaret Ann) Shriver.

When considering the playground years, might be too close to gory.

Old-school nicknames for boys are back, and Lenn is a great candidate for revival. Single-N Len may not be as cool as this Dutch version, originally a nickname for Lennart.

This ancient name, belonging to a 4th century BCE Greek statesman and general, would be one of those unique baby names with lots of more down-to-earth nickname potential, including Tim and Leon. Another notable bearer is Timoleon Jimanez, former leader of the rebel group Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

Welsh for "lion", or a nickname for Llewelyn. Could make a cooler substitute for the blander Lou.

Singer Ruslana Stepanivna Lyzhychko, who goes by her first name, won the Eurovision contest in 2004 and remains a popular artist in Ukraine.

Loewe is one spelling of a surname name rooted in many European cultures and languages, from English to German to French. Variations include Lowe and Loeb, and the meaning might relate to low or short (thought to be used for a tall person!) as well as to lion and even hill.

Usually a male name, but uncommon enough to sound plausibly gender-neutral. The similarity to Leanne gives it extra traction for girls.

A chic French vintage name on the rise there for both sexes, which would make for an unconventional route to Leo.

This spelling is almost exclusively feminine, but is occasionally given to boys as a variation on Ariel — to 6 baby boys in 2020, for instance.

Chirpy form of Leonard that's common in its native Slovenia.

Italian variation of Leon.