Name of the Week

 
 Underused but familiar, with an intriguing mix of 
tomboyishness and femininity.

  

Origin:

French and German feminine form of Leonius, a Late Latin name derived from the Latin leo "lion."

Usage:

The Latin forms Leonia and Leonina can be found in occasional use in the 13th century. Leonie became imported to British shores in the 19th century. The birth index shows that, at first, it was used by German and French families, before it began to spread wider a little wider. Leonie has never been in the Top 100, according to data released since 1904, although it has been used consistently.  Back in 2005 Leonie ranked #276 with 156 births in England and Wales. The similar sounding Leona ranked #509. In 2010 Leonie ranked #567 with 70 births, while Leona, thanks to the rise to fame of Leona Lewis in 2006, ranked #380.

Famous Bearers:

* Léonie Adams (1899 – 1988) was an American poet * Léonie Gilmour (1872-1933) was an American educator, editor, and journalist, and the subject of an upcming movie Leonie starring Emily Mortimer.  * Leonie Rysanek (1926 – 1998) was an Austrian dramatic soprano. * Leonie Kramer (b. 1924) is an Australian academic, educator and professor. * Leonie Frieda (b. 1956) is Swedish-born model, translator, and writer. * Leonie Schaller (b. 1978) is a German saxophonist. * Leonie Archer is a British academic and author.  Other: * Léonie Cassel (2010), sister of Deva, is the daughter of Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel

Variants:

Léonie (French) Leonia (Latin)

Pronunciation:

lee-Ō-nee (UK) LE-ō-nee (Germany) lay-ō-NEE (France) [key]

Diminutives:

Lee, Leni, Leo, Lio, Lia, Lolly, Nell, Olli

Sibling Names:

Eleni     Tessa     Amelie     Anais     Zoe     Elodie  Milo     Finn     Theo      Kit      Jules      Ellis

 

If you like Leonie you may also like:   Eloise, Noemie, Xanthe, Lilia, Delphi, Dulcie, Sylvie, Zélie, Mila, Linnea