Name meaning & stats
Leonard
Leonard means “brave as a lion” (Germanic origin). 159,832 US babies since 1940, peak 1947. Notable Leonards are 1.4× over-represented as professors.
What it means
“brave as a lion”
GermanicWell documented
In US birth records
Peak year: 1947
159,832 US babies were named Leonard between 1940 and 2025.
Where Leonards end up
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| NFL-style footballer | 1.4× | High · 32 people |
| Politician | 1.0× | High · 26 people |
| Professor | 1.4× | Medium · 24 people |
| Basketball player | 1.2× | Medium · 23 people |
Among notable men who are professors, Leonards show up 1.4× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
Name twins (peaked around 1947)