Leonardo in Chinese
Leonardo in Chinese is 莱昂纳多 (Lái Áng Nà Duō).
- Origin
- Italian/Germanic
- Meaning
- brave as a lion
Etymologically, Leonardo is Italian/Germanic and is commonly glossed as "brave as a lion". It first shows up in US Social Security records in 1885 and peaked in 2016.
3 ways to write Leonardo
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
莱昂纳多
Lái Áng Nà Duō
The standard transliteration of Leonardo: 莱 (lái, "goosefoot plant (phonetic 'lai')"), 昂 (áng, "high-spirited, upright"), 纳 (nà, "to accept, receive"), 多 (duō, "many, much"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Mandarin has no consonant clusters, so the 3-syllable English name is spread over 4 characters: 莱 lái + 昂 áng + 纳 nà + 多 duō. The tone contour is 2-2-4-1 (rising, rising, falling, high level).
Character breakdown
31 strokes total (simplified)- 莱
lái
Tone 2 · 10 strokes (simplified)
goosefoot plant (phonetic 'lai')
- 昂
áng
Tone 2 · 8 strokes (simplified)
high-spirited, upright
- 纳
nà
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
to accept, receive
- 多
duō
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
many, much
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
坚航
Jiān Háng
Inspired by "brave as a lion": 坚 (jiān, "firm, steadfast") + 航 (háng, "to sail, navigate"), expressing strength and courage.
Why these characters?
The idea of "brave" behind Leonardo is rendered by 坚, "firm, steadfast"; 航, "to sail, navigate", completes it.
Character breakdown
17 strokes total (simplified)- 坚
jiān
Tone 1 · 7 strokes (simplified)
firm, steadfast
- 航
háng
Tone 2 · 10 strokes (simplified)
to sail, navigate
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
峻勇
Jùn Yǒng
峻 (jùn, "lofty; stern and upright") + 勇 (yǒng, "brave, courageous"): a natural Chinese given name themed on strength and courage.
Why these characters?
No attractive character closely matches "leo" (lái), so 峻 ("lofty; stern and upright") and 勇 ("brave, courageous") were chosen for strength and courage.
Character breakdown
19 strokes total (simplified)- 峻
jùn
Tone 4 · 10 strokes (simplified)
lofty; stern and upright
- 勇
yǒng
Tone 3 · 9 strokes (simplified)
brave, courageous
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Leonardo
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Leonardo ranked 84 among names recorded for boys, with 24,361 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 62,986 boys named Leonardo since 1885, with the high point in 2016 (4,321 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #414 to #97 among boys.
- Peak year
- 2016
- Peak decade
- 2010s
- First year
- 1885
- Total since 1880
- 62,986
More About Leonardo in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Leonardo 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 Leonardo, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Erick in Chinese, Theodore in Chinese, and Jerry in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Bryson in Chinese, Harrison in Chinese, and Brent in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Leonardo, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Leonardo 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
What is Leonardo in Chinese characters?
莱昂纳多 (Lái Áng Nà Duō), or 萊昂納多 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 莱昂纳多 have?
31 strokes in simplified form and 35 in traditional; per character: 莱 10, 昂 8, 纳 7, 多 6.
Is there a Chinese name for Leonardo with real meaning?
Try 坚航 (Jiān Háng): firm, steadfast + to sail, navigate, inspired by "brave as a lion". For something that still sounds like Leonardo, 峻勇 (Jùn Yǒng) is a middle ground.