Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Leonidas

Leonidas (Λεωνίδας) is a Greek masculine name, from “leon” (λεων) meaning “lion”. The name Leonidas is over 2,500 years old as evidenced by Leonidas I, a 5th century B.C. a great hero-king of Sparta. He was so admired for his strength, bravery and leadership, the ancient Greeks believed him to be descended from Hercules. The “Leo” names were readily adopted by Western Christians since medieval times, as well, given the fact that thirteen Popes were called Leo (starting with the 5th century Bishop of Rome, Leo the Great, who famously persuaded Attila the Hun to withdraw from his planned attack on Rome). The lion is a powerful and regal animal so it’s no wonder why so many people of so many different languages have chosen some version of this name for their sons.

All About the Baby Name – Leonidas

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME LEONIDAS

The number Seven personality is deeply mystical and highly in tune with their spirituality. They operate on a different wavelength than the average joe. Spending time alone comes easily to Sevens, as it gives them time to contemplate philosophical, religious and spiritual ideas in an effort to find "real truth".  Sevens are wise, but often exude mystery as if they are tapped into something the rest of us don't understand. They love the outdoors and are fed by nature. Sevens are constantly seeking to understand human nature, our place in the universe, and the mystery of life in general. This makes them quite artistic and poetic, but they are also keen observers with high intellect - so they are equally scientific-minded. Sevens are charitable and care deeply about the human condition.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME LEONIDAS

This ancient Greek lion showed up on the American male naming charts in the late 1800s but only sporadically. By the time the 20th century got under way, Leonidas was nowhere to be found. The name only recently showed up on the Top 1000 list again in 2008 but it’s still considered quite rare. In fact, out of all the “Leo” names with the “regal and brave lion” etymology, the most ancient of all (the Greek spelling of Leonidas) is the least popular of them all. American parents prefer the Italian Leonardo followed closely by the minimalistic Leo. The French Leon is a distant third, and rounding out the bottom are Leonel, Leonard, Lionel and finally Leonidas. Leonidas is the forerunner, though. He’s where it all began.

Quick Facts

ON LEONIDAS

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

Greek

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

4

RANKING POPULARITY:

701

PRONUNCIATION:

le-ON-ә-thes

SIMPLE MEANING:

Lion

Characteristics

OF LEONIDAS

Mystical

Wise

Eccentric

Intuitive

Imaginative

Philosophical

Solitary

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Leonidas

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME LEONIDAS

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME LEONIDAS

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Leonidas


Popular Songs

ON LEONIDAS

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Leonidas


Famous People

NAMED LEONIDAS

Leonidas I (ancient king of Sparta)
Leonidas II (3rd century B.C. King of Sparta)
Leonidas of Rhodes (ancient Greece Olympian)
Leonidas of Tarentum (ancient Greek poet)
Leonidas of Epirus (Alexander the Great’s teacher)
Leonidas Kestekides (Greek-American Belgian chocolate maker)
Leônidas da Silva (Argentine footballer)
Leonidas Polk (Confederate general in the American Civil War)
Leonidas C. Dyer (politician)
Leonidas Sabanis (Greek Olympic weightlifter)
Leonidas Kavakos (Greek violinist)

Children of Famous People

NAMED LEONIDAS

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Leonidas

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME LEONIDAS

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Leonidas