Leontine is a unique and elegant female name of Greek origin. It means "lion" in Greek, which signifies strength, courage, and bravery. The name Leontine is derived from the Greek word "leōn," meaning lion.
The name Leontine was first used as a given name during the Middle Ages in France. It was likely inspired by the Latin name Leonina, which also means "lion" and was popular among early Christians. Over time, Leontine became associated with the French nobility, and it was often used as a title or rank rather than a personal name.
Despite its historic usage, Leontine remains relatively rare today. However, those who bear this distinctive name carry with them a sense of regal elegance and strength that is truly befitting of their namesake, the mighty lion.
The name Leontine has been given to a total of 1150 babies in the United States since 1883. The number of newborns with this name varied significantly over the years, ranging from as low as 5 to as high as 32 births in a single year.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Leontine was relatively popular, with more than 10 births per year occurring between 1897 and 1926. The name reached its peak popularity in 1923, with 32 newborns named Leontine that year.
However, after the 1920s, the usage of the name Leontine began to decline steadily. Between 1930 and 1980, there were fewer than 20 births per decade on average, with the highest number being just 27 in 1930.
In recent years, the name has made a slight resurgence, with 6 newborns named Leontine in both 2015 and 2016. While this is still far from the peak popularity of the past, it shows that the name continues to be chosen by parents even today.
Overall, while Leontine may not be one of the most popular names in terms of sheer numbers, its usage over more than a century demonstrates a certain enduring appeal for some families.