Leo in Chinese
Leo in Chinese is 利奥 (Lì Ào).
- Origin
- Latin
- Meaning
- lion
The name traces back to Latin sources, where it is usually explained as "lion". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1920s.
3 ways to write Leo
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
利奥
Lì Ào
The standard transliteration of Leo: 利 (lì, "benefit, sharp"), 奥 (ào, "profound, mysterious"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Mandarin has no consonant clusters, so the 1-syllable English name is spread over 2 characters: 利 lì + 奥 ào. The tone contour is 4-4 (falling, falling).
Character breakdown
19 strokes total (simplified)- 利
lì
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
benefit, sharp
- 奥
ào
Tone 4 · 12 strokes (simplified)
profound, mysterious
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
毅诚
Yì Chéng
Inspired by "lion": 毅 (yì, "resolute, persevering") + 诚 (chéng, "sincere, honest"), expressing strength and courage.
Why these characters?
Because Leo is linked to "lion", the name leads with 毅 (resolute, persevering); 诚 (sincere, honest) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
23 strokes total (simplified)- 毅
yì
Tone 4 · 15 strokes (simplified)
resolute, persevering
- 诚
chéng
Tone 2 · 8 strokes (simplified)
sincere, honest
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
黎健
Lí Jiàn
黎 (lí, "dawn; multitude") + 健 (jiàn, "healthy, vigorous"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
Instead of the purely phonetic 利, this uses 黎 (lí, "dawn; multitude") for the "leo" sound, then 健 ("healthy, vigorous") for meaning.
Character breakdown
25 strokes total (simplified)- 黎
lí
Tone 2 · 15 strokes (simplified)
dawn; multitude
- 健
jiàn
Tone 4 · 10 strokes (simplified)
healthy, vigorous
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Recent US usage of Leo
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Leo ranked 24 among names recorded for boys, with 47,481 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 198,092 boys named Leo since 1880, with the high point in 2017 (5,923 births) and the busiest decade being the 1920s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #476 to #61 among boys.
- Peak year
- 2017
- Peak decade
- 1920s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 198,092
More About Leo in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Leo offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Leo, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Ruben in Chinese, Russell in Chinese, and Jeffery in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Jonathon in Chinese, Hudson in Chinese, and Rafael in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Leo, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Leo to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How is Leo translated into Chinese?
利奥 (Lì Ào), or 利奧 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 利奥 have?
19 strokes in simplified form and 20 in traditional; per character: 利 7, 奥 12.
How popular is the name Leo?
US Social Security records show 198,092 boys named Leo since 1880, with the high point in 2017 (5,923 births) and the busiest decade being the 1920s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #476 to #61 among boys.