← All names

Leonidas

Boy name · 37 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Leonidas: 37 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 8 births in 2021.

Leonidas is a name of ancient Greek origin, derived from *Leon* (lion) and *-idas* (son of), meaning "son of the lion" or "lion-like." Its most famous bearer is King Leonidas I of Sparta, who led 300 Spartans against the Persian army at the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC, a stand that has become legendary in Western culture. The name also appears in the modern era through figures like Leonidas Polk, a Confederate general in the American Civil War. While no major places are directly named after the Spartan king, the name shares its root with the city of León in Spain, which also means "lion." A notable variant is the Russian form Leonid, which has been borne by several Soviet leaders, including Leonid Brezhnev.