What does Leon mean?
Léon comes from the Latin and Greek for “lion.”
What does Remy mean?
From the French Remigius, linked to the Latin remex, “oarsman.”
Leon vs Remy
Which is more popular?
Leon is more popular than Remy today: about 2,583 US babies were given the name Leon in 2025, compared with 781 named Remy.
| Leon | Remy | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Lion | Oarsman |
| Origin | French | French |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | lay-OHN | REM-ee |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1914 |
| Peak year | 1924 (2,677) | 2022 (924) |
| In 2025 | 2,583 | 781 |
| Trend | Rising | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Leon
Remy
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Leon | Remy |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 14,110 | 5,105 |
| 2010s | 11,768 | 4,792 |
| 2000s | 5,062 | 1,242 |
| 1990s | 5,176 | 696 |
| 1980s | 7,627 | 291 |
| 1970s | 9,854 | 108 |
| 1960s | 13,823 | 99 |
| 1950s | 21,341 | 79 |
| 1940s | 23,578 | 27 |
| 1930s | 23,005 | 10 |
| 1920s | 25,577 | 23 |
| 1910s | 15,280 | 12 |
| 1900s | 2,859 | 0 |
| 1890s | 2,103 | 0 |
| 1880s | 1,475 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Leon or Remy more popular?
Leon is more popular than Remy today: about 2,583 US babies were given the name Leon in 2025, compared with 781 named Remy.
What is the difference between Leon and Remy?
Leon means Lion (French origin), while Remy means Oarsman (French origin).
Which name is older, Leon or Remy?
In US records, Leon first appears in 1880 and Remy in 1914, so Leon has the longer recorded history.