Leo is one of the most popular baby names in the UK, ranked #5 in 2024. With 3,324 babies given this name, your child will likely be the only Leo in their class — but in a school of 600, expect around ~1.7 others.
Origin & Meaning
Latin — Lion
🔥
UK Rank 2024
#5
US Rank #24
About the Name Leo
Leo is climbing rapidly up the charts, having climbed 5488 places in just five years. Its best recorded rank was #5 in 2022 — and current momentum suggests it could challenge that mark again. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996. It has spent 22 of the last 29 years inside the UK top 100 — a mark of enduring mainstream appeal.
The name carries Latin roots, where it means "Lion". Names with strong etymological stories tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles.
Leo is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
It ranks similarly in the US at #24, suggesting broad transatlantic appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Leo
Probably not in their specific class, but possible. With around 3,324 UK babies named Leo per year, your child will likely be the only Leo in his class. In a school of 600, however, expect to find around ~1.7 others.
Leo is currently rising in popularity in the UK, up 5488 places over the last five years to #5 in 2024. If this trend continues, it will become more common in classrooms over the next decade.
The name Leo has Latin origins and means "Lion". Names with clear etymological roots tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles and give children a story to tell about their name.
Notable people named Leo include: Ben Leo — Ben Leo is a British journalist and broadcaster known for his work with GB News and formerly The Sun newspaper.; Leo Lyons — Leo David William Lyons is an English musician, who was most known as the bassist of the blues rock band Ten Years After..
Leo ranks #24 in the US (2024), making it comfortably inside the American top 100. It's well-liked on both sides of the Atlantic.
3,324
UK babies named Leo (2024)
~0.1
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~1.7
In a school of 600
↑ 5488 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Leo
Likely around 1 other Leo in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Leo
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story