Leonidas
lee-AW-nih-duhz
Leonidas is a Greek name formed from leon (“lion”) and the patronymic suffix -idas, giving the meaning “son of a lion” or “descended from a lion.”
The most famous bearer was Leonidas I, King of Sparta, who led the famous last stand of 300 Spartans against the Persian army at Thermopylae in 480 BC. His name became synonymous with courage and sacrifice.
Leonidas peaked at No. 421 in 2022 with 758 births. In 2024 it ranks No. 508 with 597 births, pulling back from that recent high.
What the name Leonidas means
The 2007 film 300, depicting Leonidas at Thermopylae, brought the name to a mass American audience and contributed directly to its rise in SSA records through the 2010s.
Five syllables—lee-ON-ih-das—give the name considerable length. Parents willing to commit to a longer name often choose Leonidas for the nickname options it provides: Leo, Leon, or Nidas.
The name has long been used in Greek-American communities where classical names carry cultural pride. Its broader American revival reflects the general fashion for ancient Greek and Roman names.
Belgian chocolatier Leonidas, founded in 1913, shares the name and keeps it in commercial awareness across Europe, giving it a dimension beyond the martial associations.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Leonidas
Leonidas - similar names
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