| Leo | Martin | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Lion | Of Mars / warlike |
| Origin | Latin | latin |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | LEE-oh | MAR-tin |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 2022 (8,293) | 1963 (6,073) |
| In 2025 | 8,173 | 1,009 |
| Trend | Near its peak | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Leo | Martin |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 47,481 | 6,645 |
| 2010s | 44,706 | 13,356 |
| 2000s | 12,274 | 18,762 |
| 1990s | 4,738 | 25,331 |
| 1980s | 4,541 | 23,226 |
| 1970s | 5,365 | 24,267 |
| 1960s | 9,487 | 49,116 |
| 1950s | 15,536 | 50,994 |
| 1940s | 16,962 | 31,402 |
| 1930s | 22,864 | 21,927 |
| 1920s | 36,960 | 24,243 |
| 1910s | 26,656 | 16,097 |
| 1900s | 5,629 | 3,346 |
| 1890s | 4,691 | 3,254 |
| 1880s | 2,098 | 3,595 |
Leo is the Latin word for “lion,” long associated with courage and strength, and shared with the zodiac sign.
From Latin Martinus, a derivative of Mars, the Roman god of war, so carrying a 'warlike' sense. Popularized by the soldier-saint Martin of Tours.
Leo is more popular than Martin today: about 8,173 US babies were given the name Leo in 2025, compared with 1,009 named Martin.
Leo means Lion (Latin origin), while Martin means Of Mars / warlike (latin origin).
In US records, Leo first appears in 1880 and Martin in 1880, so Leo has the longer recorded history.