Leonard

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ORIGIN AND HISTORY

The name Leonard derives from the Old High German “Lewenhart” meaning "brave as a lion” or “lion-hearted." It is a combination of “lewo” meaning “lion” and “hart” meaning “strong,” “brave” or “hearty.” The German passed the name on to the French and the Normans introduced the name to England, although it was not popularized until the 19th century.

In the 6th century, the Frankish St. Leonard of Noblac founded a monastery and was the patron saint of prisoners, peasants, birthing mothers and the mentally ill.

POPULARITY

According to the 1990 United States Census, Leonard ranked as the 107th most popular male first name and the 324th most popular last name. In the United States, the name ranked in the Top 1,000 most popular boys' names every decade since 1880. In the 21st century, the name has remained in the Top 700 most popular boys' names each year from 2000 (515th) through 2006 (614th).

United States Popularity of the boy's name Leonard in the 21st Century.

• Year: 2006 Rank:614th
• Year: 2005 Rank:591st
• Year: 2004 Rank:578th
• Year: 2003 Rank:571st
• Year: 2002 Rank:563rd
• Year: 2001 Rank:521st
• Year: 2000 Rank:515th

In 2007, the popularity of the boy’s name Leonard ranked 23rd in Brazil while the variant form Lennert ranked 46th in Belgium.

FACTS

• February 27th is celebrated in Poland in honor of the name Leonard.
• March 30th is celebrated by the Catholic Church in honor of St. Leonard Muraildo.
• July 9th is celebrated by the Catholic Church in honor of St. Leonard Wegel.
• August 16th is celebrated in Slovakia in honor of the name Leonard.
• September 28th is celebrated in Sweden in honor of the name Leonard.
• October 15th is celebrated by the Catholic Church in honor of St. Leonard Vandoeuvre.
• November 1st is celebrated in the Ukraine in honor of the name Leonard.
• November 6th is celebrated by the Catholic Church in honor of St. Leonard of Reresby and St. Leonard of Noblac.
• November 6th is celebrated in Poland and France in honor of the name Leonard.
• November 18th is celebrated by the Catholic Church in honor of St. Leonard Kimura.
• November 26th is celebrated by the Catholic Church in honor of St. Leonard of Port Maurice.
• November 26th is celebrated in Poland in honor of the name Leonard.
• November 27th is celebrated in Poland in honor of the name Leonard.

NAMESAKES

• “Leonard I-V” is a song by the music group “The Roots.”
• “Lenny” is a song by singer, songwriter John Mayer.
• “Fat Lenny” is a song by the alternative rock group “Ween.”
• “Leon Phelps” is a fictional radio show host in the comedic movie The Ladies Man.

FAMOUS PERSONS

• Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci – Famous Italian painter during the High Renaissance.
• Leonardo Dicaprio – Television and film actor who was nominated for three Academy Awards (Oscars).
• Leonard Bernstein – Famous American conductor who led the New York Philharmonic and made a variety of television appearances.
• Leonard Nimoy – Movie and television actor who is best known as “Spock” from the science fiction show “Star Trek.” He has been nominated for four primetime Emmy Awards.
• Leonard Patrick "Red" Kelly – Hall of Fame hockey player (defenseman, center) who won eight Stanley Cups.

NOTES

OTHER LEONARD'S

Leonard Smith, Leonard Johnson, Leonard Williams, Leonard Jones, Leonard Brown, Leonard Davis, Leonard Miller, Leonard Wilson, Leonard Moore, Leonard Taylor, Leonard Aadland, Leonard Aagesen, Leonard Aaker, Leonard Aalderink, Leonard Aalto, Leonard Aamodt, Leonard Aamold, Leonard Aamot, Leonard Aarestad, Leonard Aaro, Leonard Aaroe, Leonard Aaron, Leonard Aarons, Leonard Aaronson, Leonard Aase, Leonard Abad, Leonard Abadie, Leonard Abare, Leonard Abate, Leonard Abatista, Leonard Abaya, Leonard Abazia, Leonard Abazorius, Leonard Abbadessa, Leonard Abbadini, Leonard Abbatantuono, Leonard Abbate, Leonard Abbatiello, Leonard Abbattista, Leonard Abbazia, Leonard Abbe, Leonard Abbeduto, Leonard Abbene, Leonard Abbey, Leonard Abbisso, Leonard Abbot, Leonard Abbott, Leonard Abbruscato, Leonard Abbruzzese, Leonard Abdilla, More results

Author: Rich Kachold