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Leona Girl

Popularity: #426 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationLEE-oh-nah / ˈliːə.nə

Latin; Greek

Meaning

Latin: lioness; Greek: brave

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Leona has its roots in the Latin word "leo," meaning "lion." This term evolved through various languages, with the Greek equivalent being "leon" (λέων). The name Leona emerged in the late medieval period as a feminine form of Leon, which was used in several European languages. It made its way into English through Old French, where it was adopted as "Leonne" before becoming Leona in the modern era. The transition into English occurred around the 19th century, although the name's usage can be traced back to earlier periods in various forms across Europe.

Historically, the name Leona has been associated with strength and bravery, qualities attributed to the lion. It has been borne by notable figures throughout history, including saints and queens. One significant milestone is the use of the name in the context of Christian saints, where it has been linked to various female saints who exemplified courage and virtue. The name also appears in literary works and translations, contributing to its cultural resonance. For instance, the name may be found in various texts from the Renaissance period, reflecting the era's fascination with classical themes and virtues.

Culturally, Leona symbolizes strength and nobility, drawing from the lion's regal and powerful connotations. The name has been embraced in various cultures, often associated with qualities of leadership and resilience. Its diminutive form, Leona, has also been used in different contexts, though it is less common. Overall, the name Leona carries a rich historical and cultural significance, embodying the traits of its lion-inspired etymology.

Trend Summary

Leona has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, particularly in the United States.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Leonie
  • Leonae

International Variants

  • Leona (Spanish)
  • Leona (Italian)
  • Leona (Portuguese)

Famous people named Leona

Leona Lewis is a singer and songwriter best known for Bleeding Love, Better in Time, and A Moment Like This.

Leona Helmsley was a hotelier best known for her ownership of the Helmsley hotels and her controversial legal battles.

Leona Graham is a radio presenter best known for her work on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2.

Fictional characters named Leona

Leona is a fictional character from the video game series League of Legends. She is a champion known for her role as a steadfast protector and warrior in the game's lore.

Leona is a fictional character from the animated series The Lion Guard. She is a lioness who serves as a member of the Lion Guard, tasked with protecting the Pride Lands.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Leona was first seen in the United States in 1880. Leona has ranked as high as #137 nationally, which occurred in 1918, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Leona has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Leona (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 82
15%
TX 44
8%
NY 43
8%
PA 29
5%
MN 25
5%
OH 24
4%
WA 23
4%
FL 22
4%
IL 22
4%
NC 20
4%
VA 18
3%
CO 15
3%
OR 15
3%
MA 14
3%
MD 13
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
1880137
1881138
1882163
1883178
1884210
1885231
1886227
1887208
1888311
1889348
1890332
1891352
1892440
1893463
1894471
1895520
1896556
1897619
1898665
1899665
1900825
1901779
1902875
1903881
1904998
19051,082
19061,017
19071,106
19081,118
19091,167
19101,220
19111,329
19121,650
19131,911
19142,174
19152,972
19163,086
19173,115
19183,335
19193,033
19203,166
19213,210
19222,825
19232,744
19242,794
19252,515
19262,429
19272,243
19282,085
19292,020
19301,872
19311,743
19321,670
19331,461
19341,472
19351,308
19361,235
19371,173
19381,164
19391,075
19401,028
1941998
19421,055
19431,061
1944896
1945843
1946819
1947815
1948775
1949738
1950681
1951669
1952602
1953583
1954568
1955508
1956521
1957497
1958530
1959482
1960461
1961428
1962419
1963462
1964405
1965348
1966317
1967303
1968275
1969277
1970285
1971218
1972227
1973220
1974189
1975191
1976158
1977170
1978184
1979182
1980167
1981152
1982144
1983128
1984123
1985135
1986129
1987125
1988110
1989142
1990104
1991114
1992100
199389
199474
199590
199691
1997101
199882
199990
2000108
200190
2002105
2003104
2004134
2005139
2006143
2007152
2008237
2009274
2010256
2011283
2012287
2013374
2014379
2015419
2016507
2017565
2018611
2019616
2020633
2021600
2022585
2023586
2024624