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Names meaning "lion" appear across multiple cultural traditions — from ancient Hebrew and Greek to modern English coinages. Each carries this meaning in a distinct cultural context.
Names meaning "lion" — key facts
- 400 names contain the meaning "lion"
- 240 gender-specific names, plus 23 gender-neutral
- Names meaning "lion" appear in Hebrew, Latin, Greek, Arabic, and Sanskrit traditions
- Meaning-based name searches have grown 45% year-over-year as parents seek intentional names
Girl Names Meaning "Lion"
200 girl names with this meaning
#1203
A combination or diminutive form of names such as Liana or Leonette, suggesting a connection to nature or a lion
#1213
Derived from 'Ariella', meaning 'Lion of God'.; Modern female name often associated with beauty and strength.
#1261
An extension of Léonie, which derives from 'leo' meaning 'lion', thus suggesting 'lioness' or 'brave'.
#1328
Combination of 'Ari', a Hebrew name meaning 'lion', and 'Yonna', often recognized in various cultures.
#1382
A modern invention, often seen as a variation of the name Ariel, meaning 'lion of God'.; In Hebrew, it is a short form related to 'Ariel'.
#1911
A blend of Shannon and Dandelion, often interpreted as 'Old River' or 'from the River Shannon'.
Boy Names Meaning "Lion"
177 boy names with this meaning
#18
Derived from Latin leo meaning "lion", a cognate of LEON. It was popular among early Christians and was the name of 13 popes, including Saint Leo the Great who asserted the dominance of the Roman bishops (the popes) over…
#214
Latinized form of GRUFFUDD. This name can also be inspired by the English word griffin, a creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle, ultimately from Greek γρυψ (gryps).
#496
French diminutive of LÉON. A notable bearer is Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi (1987-).
#569
Means "possessing black stallions" in Avestan. This is the name of a prince in the 11th-century Persian epic the 'Shahnameh'.
#1171
From Turkic arslan meaning "lion". This was a byname or title borne by several medieval Turkic rulers, including the Seljuk sultan Alp Arslan (a byname meaning "brave lion") who drove the Byzantines from Anatolia in the…
#1326
A form of the name 'Dandridge', possibly derived from Old English 'dandelion' or 'dandelion-like'.
#1433
Derived from the Greek elements παν (pan) meaning "all" (genitive παντος) and λεων (leon) meaning "lion". This was the name of a 2nd-century BC king of Bactria.
#1562
Young lion; a blend of 'Leon' meaning lion and the suffix indicating descent or lineage.
#3325
Means "lion of God" or "strength of God" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament he is a nephew of Caleb who becomes the first of the ruling judges of the Israelites.
#3418
derived from 'Arius', meaning 'hero' or 'lion'.; a variation that could be linked to strength or bravery.
#6033
Means "lion" in Arabic. This was another name of Ali, the husband of Fatimah the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad.
#7315
Means "lion" in Hebrew. This was the name of an officer of king Pekahiah in the Old Testament.
Unisex Names Meaning "Lion"
23 gender-neutral names with this meaning
#1244
A modern invented name, possibly deriving from the combination of 'Zama', meaning 'peaceful', and 'ari', meaning 'lion'.
#1289
Means "lion" in Persian. A famous bearer of this name was Sher Shah, a 16th-century Mughal ruler.
#1884
Possibly a modern derivative of names such as Arianne or Ariel, evoking meanings related to 'lion of God or 'airy/sublim
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