Leonce is a unique and distinctive given name of French origin. It is derived from the Latin word "Leon", which means "lion". The name Leonce was popular in France during the Middle Ages, but it has become less common in recent years.
The name Leonce was first used in France in the early 13th century. It was typically given to boys born into noble families, as a way of conveying strength and bravery, which are attributes associated with lions. The name became particularly popular during the reign of King Louis IX of France (1214-1270), who was known for his military prowess.
Over time, Leonce has become more widely used beyond France. Today, it can be found in various countries around the world, although it remains relatively uncommon compared to other names. Despite its decreased popularity, Leonce continues to be a meaningful and distinctive name choice for parents looking for something unique and significant for their child.
The name Leonce has been given to a total of 431 babies born in the United States over the years, with fluctuations in popularity from one decade to another.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Leonce was somewhat popular, with around 5-16 births per year between 1887 and 1927. The name peaked in popularity during this period, reaching its highest point in 1925 with 20 births.
However, the popularity of Leonce began to decline after the 1930s, with fewer than 10 births per year recorded between 1930 and 1978. There were even some years where no babies named Leonce were born in the United States at all.
In recent times, Leonce has become quite rare as a baby name in the U.S., with only 5 births recorded in both 2005 and 2008. Despite this decline in popularity, it is still possible to find people named Leonce today, reflecting the name's long history of use in America.
Overall, while Leonce may not be a common name today, its usage over the past century and a half demonstrates that it has been a part of American naming tradition for quite some time.