The baby name Leonie mixes all things fierce with a certain European style.
Thanks to Shannon for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
WHAT DOES THE NAME LEONIE MEAN?
Like all of the Leo names, Leonie comes from the Latin word for lion.
Saints and emperors have answered to Leo. Throw in the Old English element leof – beloved – and a few other sources, and this cluster of names is significant: Leon, Leonardo, Leofric, Leopold, and more are all options for boys. On the girls’ side, names like Leona and Leontia appear across the years.
Leonie and Leonia specifically come from Leonius, a Latin elaboration of Leo.
Most sites list the meaning as lioness, which tracks.
FAMOUS FIGURES
While the baby name Leonie is quite rare in the US, a number of notable women have answered to it over the years, including:
- Born in mid-19th century France, Leonie Aviat established a new religious order, and advocated for education and workers, too. She was canonized in 2001.
- New York City-born Leonie Gilmour first met Japanese writer Yone Noguchi when she answered a 1901 ad to serve as Noguchi’s English-language editor. The two eventually started a tumultuous romance. Their son, Isamu Noguchi, would become a noted sculptor. Their daughter, Ailes Gilmour, a modern dance pioneer as a member of Martha Graham’s company. A 2010 film Leonie, as well as a 2013 biography, told her story.
- Long Beach, California is home to the historic landmark Leonie Pray House. Born in Paris, Leonie married a local attorney. The couple met after Mr. Pray served in France during the first World War. They bought the huge English Tudor Revival when they settled down in the US. They became famous for entertaining. By the 1980s, the house became a popular filming location for television and movies.
- Brooklyn-born poet Leonie Adams served as US Poet Laureate from 1948-1949.
- Opera gives us Austrian-born soprano Leonie Rysanek. Her full name? Leopoldine. Her career flourished from the 1950s into the 1990s.
- French nun Leonie Duquet moved to Argentina in the 1970s to work with the poor through the human rights group Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo. Duquet was arrested and killed by the military regime.
Moving into the 21st century, actors Monica Bellucci and VincentCassel named their younger daughter Leoniein 2010. They are also parents to daughter Deva.
In the Netherlands, it’s the middle name of Princess Aimee, wife of Prince Floris.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME LEONIE?
Today, the baby name Leonie is quietly gaining in popularity in the US. As of 2025, 80 girls received the name.
But it hasn’t charted in the US Top 1000 since 1907. Even if the name doubled in use by 2026, it would remain relatively unknown.
That’s not the case elsewhere. During the 21st century, Leonie has ranked in the Top Ten in Germany, and when spelled Léonie, in France’s Top 50.
It’s undeniably a choice with a quiet Europe vibe, but it’s easily accessbile in English, too.
RARITY THAT COULD ROAR
With names like Elodie and Sylvie rising in use in the US, Leonie could fit right in. It’s bolder than Lily or Leah, but just on the right side of familiar.
If you’re looking for a surprising choice that blends the spirit of a lioness with pan-European appeal, Leonie might be the perfect choice for your family.
What do you think of the baby name Leonie?
First published on February 21, 2012, this post was revised on April 22, 2012 and August 31, 2026.
I’m surprised that Leonie hasn’t caught on much here in the UK – especially given the fame of Leona Lewis and the popularity of nicknames. She is at #567, which is still relatively respectable.
I’m intrigued by Leofric and Leopoldine, but Leonie is kind of meh to me. I’m not huge on -ee endings and the LEE-oh vs. LAY-oh pronunciation issue could get annoying. But I do agree that on sound alone she’s a great alternative to a lot of similar popular names.
So, yeah….how would one pronounce Leonie in the US?
Most likely LEE-oh-nee though LAY-oh-nee wouldn’t be far behind.
I love the name and thought about it seriously for our 2nd girl (who is a Leo!) — but the pronunciation thing seemed like it would be an issue. I like the LAY on nee pronunciation better myself, but in the US, it is true, LEE on nee would be more usual, I’d think.
I totally agree with you. Which name(s) did you opt for instead Liz?
Leonie (or maybe Leontine) is a top 10 girls name for me. Part of what I adore about Leonie is that it makes me think of Leon Lionni, one of my favorite illustrators.
I knew a Leonie – she was born in the early 80s and would be about 28 now. She was all-American and I always thought her name was striking. And to top it off she had long, wavy blonde hair – very lioness like! She pronounced it LEE-oh-nee.
I know a 5 year old Leona. Leonie (unless it’s the French, complete with accents) sounds too nicknamey to me.
Many years ago, in school, I knew a Leonie, but she was not from the US. I prefer Leonie over other Leo- names for girls.
It’s funny because I’m not generally a fan of Leo names for boys, but I really like Leonie and Leona, with the edge going to Leonie.
Something sweet and simple about it, but strong feeling. Almost regal with being frou-frou princess.
I’ve always loved Leo- names, and after finding the name Leonie (from the book Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann) I found my favorite. I also did some research on Isamu Noguchi this summer and came across his mother’s name.
I’m just not 100 percent sure how to pronounce it. LEE-oh-nee? LAY-oh-nee? lee-OH-nee-eh? Whichever way sounds fine to me.
The name might be nice in English-speaking countries, but it is very overused in Austria. Since 2004 it is in the Top 5 of the most popular names. It was also twice the female number one.