Choosing names that mean lion or “lioness” can evoke strength, courage, and majesty. Lions are often seen as symbols of power and nobility in various cultures around the world.
Whether you’re looking for a name for a child, a pet, or a character in a story, the following list offers a variety of names that mean lion or lioness, along with their origins and meanings.
Origins of Names That Mean Lion or Lioness
Names that mean lion can be found across various cultures, highlighting their significance in folklore, mythology, and heraldry. Many cultures have revered lions as symbols of bravery and leadership, which is reflected in their names.
The name “lion” derives from the Latin word leo, which has roots in the ancient Greek leon. In different languages, lions often symbolize strength and protection.
Names Meaning “Lion”
- Leon
Meaning: Lion
Origin: Greek - Leo
Meaning: Lion
Origin: Latin - Leona
Meaning: Lioness
Origin: Latin - Lyon
Meaning: Lion
Origin: French - Ari
Meaning: Lion
Origin: Hebrew - Ariel
Meaning: Lion of God
Origin: Hebrew - Klion
Meaning: Lion
Origin: French - Leonidas
Meaning: Lion-like
Origin: Greek - Leandro
Meaning: Lion man
Origin: Spanish - Liona
Meaning: Lioness
Origin: English - Lyonel
Meaning: Little lion
Origin: French - Leontios
Meaning: Lion
Origin: Greek - Leontine
Meaning: Lion-like
Origin: Latin - Lio
Meaning: Lion
Origin: Italian - Arielle
Meaning: Lion of God
Origin: Hebrew - Zal
Meaning: Brave like a lion
Origin: Persian - Samson
Meaning: Like the sun; strength like a lion
Origin: Hebrew - Jabari
Meaning: Brave, fearless; lion
Origin: Swahili - Arne
Meaning: Eagle; also means lion in some contexts
Origin: Scandinavian - Tigana
Meaning: Little tiger; associated with lions
Origin: Italian
Names Meaning “Lioness”
- Leona
Meaning: Lioness
Origin: Latin - Sofia
Meaning: Wisdom; sometimes associated with the strength of a lioness
Origin: Greek - Nemea
Meaning: Of the lion; relates to the Nemean lion in mythology
Origin: Greek - Zarina
Meaning: Golden; relates to the beauty of a lioness
Origin: Persian - Kali
Meaning: Black; symbolizes the fierce nature of a lioness
Origin: Hindu - Sarai
Meaning: Princess; conveys the grace of a lioness
Origin: Hebrew - Rita
Meaning: Pearl; represents beauty like a lioness
Origin: Spanish - Aria
Meaning: Lioness; symbolizes strength and grace
Origin: Hebrew - Soraya
Meaning: Princess; often associated with regal lionesses
Origin: Persian - Shani
Meaning: Marvelous; a name that can represent the elegance of a lioness
Origin: Swahili - Kiara
Meaning: Bright, clear; symbolizes the light and strength of a lioness
Origin: Italian - Liora
Meaning: Light; represents the beauty of a lioness
Origin: Hebrew - Dahlia
Meaning: Flower; sometimes associated with lionesses for their beauty
Origin: Scandinavian - Indira
Meaning: Beauty; symbolizes the grace of a lioness
Origin: Sanskrit - Amara
Meaning: Eternal; reflects the enduring strength of a lioness
Origin: Igbo - Malika
Meaning: Queen; signifies the royal nature of a lioness
Origin: Arabic - Nyota
Meaning: Star; conveys the brightness of a lioness
Origin: Swahili - Kianga
Meaning: The Sun; symbolizes the warmth and strength of a lioness
Origin: African - Samara
Meaning: Guardian; a strong name for a protective lioness
Origin: Hebrew - Zuri
Meaning: Beautiful; reflects the elegance of a lioness
Origin: Swahili
Names Meaning “Brave” (Lion-Like)
- Gabriel
Meaning: God is my strength; represents bravery
Origin: Hebrew - Valentina
Meaning: Strong; symbolizes strength and bravery
Origin: Latin - Dario
Meaning: Wealthy, kingly; reflects bravery
Origin: Italian - Anders
Meaning: Manly; symbolizes strength
Origin: Scandinavian - Khalid
Meaning: Eternal; represents enduring bravery
Origin: Arabic - Brennan
Meaning: Descendant of Braonán; signifies bravery
Origin: Irish - Ethan
Meaning: Strong, firm; symbolizes bravery
Origin: Hebrew - Audra
Meaning: Noble strength; signifies courage
Origin: English - Ronan
Meaning: Little seal; associated with bravery
Origin: Irish - Leif
Meaning: Heir; represents bravery
Origin: Scandinavian - Alaric
Meaning: Ruler of all; symbolizes strength
Origin: German - Kendrick
Meaning: Royal ruler; signifies bravery
Origin: English - Milo
Meaning: Soldier; represents courage
Origin: Latin - Rhea
Meaning: Flowing; symbolizes strength
Origin: Greek - Gerald
Meaning: Spear ruler; signifies bravery
Origin: German - Baldwin
Meaning: Bold friend; represents bravery
Origin: German - Oswald
Meaning: Divine power; symbolizes strength
Origin: English - Alden
Meaning: Old friend; signifies bravery
Origin: English - Sloane
Meaning: Warrior; represents bravery
Origin: Irish - Griffin
Meaning: Strong in faith; symbolizes courage
Origin: Welsh
Names Meaning “Noble” (Lion-Like)
- Alden
Meaning: Old friend; signifies nobility
Origin: English - Alistair
Meaning: Defender of the people; represents noble qualities
Origin: Scottish - Eleanor
Meaning: Light-hearted; symbolizes nobility
Origin: French - Aurelius
Meaning: Golden; signifies noble heritage
Origin: Latin - Seraphina
Meaning: Fiery; represents noble spirit
Origin: Hebrew - Cyrus
Meaning: The Sun; symbolizes nobility
Origin: Persian - Magnus
Meaning: Great; represents noble qualities
Origin: Latin - Emmeline
Meaning: Hardworking; signifies nobility
Origin: French - Freya
Meaning: A noble lady; symbolizes strength
Origin: Norse - Isadora
Meaning: Gift of Isis; represents noble spirit
Origin: Greek - Leopold
Meaning: Brave people; signifies nobility
Origin: German - Valeria
Meaning: Strong; symbolizes noble qualities
Origin: Latin - Roderick
Meaning: Famous ruler; represents nobility
Origin: German - Sigmund
Meaning: Victorious protector; signifies noble strength
Origin: German - Allegra
Meaning: Joyful; symbolizes noble qualities
Origin: Italian - Lysandra
Meaning: Liberator; represents nobility
Origin: Greek - Adelaide
Meaning: Noble kind; signifies noble heritage
Origin: German - Aurelian
Meaning: Golden; symbolizes noble qualities
Origin: Latin - Lucian
Meaning: Light; represents the noble spirit
Origin: Latin - Wilhelmina
Meaning: Resolute protector; signifies nobility
Origin: German
Names Meaning “Strength” (Lion-Like)
- Andrew
Meaning: Manly; signifies strength
Origin: Greek - Gabriel
Meaning: God is my strength; symbolizes strength
Origin: Hebrew - Valentino
Meaning: Strong; signifies strength
Origin: Latin - Brennan
Meaning: Descendant of Braonán; represents strength
Origin: Irish - Leona
Meaning: Lioness; symbolizes strength
Origin: Latin - Ragnar
Meaning: Warrior; signifies strength
Origin: Norse - Luca
Meaning: Light; symbolizes inner strength
Origin: Latin - Matilda
Meaning: Battle-mighty; signifies strength
Origin: German - Kendra
Meaning: Knowledge; symbolizes strength
Origin: English - Garrison
Meaning: Stronghold; represents strength
Origin: English - Ezekiel
Meaning: God strengthens; signifies strength
Origin: Hebrew - Alaric
Meaning: Ruler of all; symbolizes strength
Origin: German - Khalid
Meaning: Eternal; signifies lasting strength
Origin: Arabic - Isolde
Meaning: Ice ruler; symbolizes strength
Origin: Welsh - Balthazar
Meaning: Baal protects; signifies strength
Origin: Arabic - Liam
Meaning: Strong-willed warrior; symbolizes strength
Origin: Irish - Siegfried
Meaning: Victorious peace; represents strength
Origin: German - Gerard
Meaning: Brave spear; signifies strength
Origin: German - Osiris
Meaning: God of the underworld; symbolizes strength
Origin: Egyptian - Milena
Meaning: Gracious; signifies inner strength
Origin: Slavic
Names Meaning “Courage” (Lion-Like)
- Alfred
Meaning: A wise counselor; symbolizes courage
Origin: English - Ansel
Meaning: Divine protection; signifies courage
Origin: German - Barrett
Meaning: Bear strength; symbolizes courage
Origin: German - Edmund
Meaning: Wealthy protector; signifies courage
Origin: English - Hector
Meaning: Holding fast; symbolizes courage
Origin: Greek - Leif
Meaning: Heir; represents courage
Origin: Scandinavian - Ronan
Meaning: The little seal; symbolizes courage
Origin: Irish - Caden
Meaning: Fighter; signifies courage
Origin: American - Matthias
Meaning: Gift of God; represents courageous spirit
Origin: Hebrew - Griffin
Meaning: Strong in faith; symbolizes courage
Origin: Welsh - Axel
Meaning: Father of peace; signifies courage
Origin: Scandinavian - Hugo
Meaning: Mind; symbolizes courage
Origin: German - Bram
Meaning: Father of a multitude; signifies courage
Origin: Dutch - Zubair
Meaning: Strong; represents courage
Origin: Arabic - Valen
Meaning: Strong; symbolizes courage
Origin: Latin - Fergus
Meaning: A man of strength; signifies courage
Origin: Irish - Rafa
Meaning: Healer; represents a courageous spirit
Origin: Hebrew - Tobias
Meaning: God is good; symbolizes courage
Origin: Hebrew - Hadrian
Meaning: Dark-haired; signifies courage
Origin: Latin - Ulric
Meaning: Wolf power; symbolizes courage
Origin: German
Names Inspired by Lion Characters in Mythology
- Aslan
Meaning: Lion; the character from The Chronicles of Narnia
Origin: Turkish - Nemean
Meaning: Relating to the Nemean lion from Greek mythology
Origin: Greek - Sekhmet
Meaning: Powerful one; lion goddess in Egyptian mythology
Origin: Egyptian - Simba
Meaning: Lion; the main character in The Lion King
Origin: Swahili - Leo
Meaning: Lion; associated with the zodiac sign
Origin: Latin - Loki
Meaning: Air; sometimes associated with the lion in Norse mythology
Origin: Norse - Bastet
Meaning: Goddess of home, fertility; associated with lions
Origin: Egyptian - Heracles
Meaning: Glory of Hera; known for slaying the Nemean lion
Origin: Greek - Mufasa
Meaning: King; a character from The Lion King
Origin: Swahili - Psyche
Meaning: Soul; associated with lion-like strength
Origin: Greek - Asterion
Meaning: Starry; associated with the Minotaur and lion
Origin: Greek - Nero
Meaning: Powerful; sometimes depicted as a lion
Origin: Latin - Eurystheus
Meaning: Famed strength; mythological king known for Heracles’ tasks
Origin: Greek - Astaroth
Meaning: Lord of the infernal; associated with lion-like traits
Origin: Hebrew - Hippolyta
Meaning: She who lets loose; queen of the Amazons
Origin: Greek - Zephyrus
Meaning: West wind; associated with strength and lions
Origin: Greek - Ariel
Meaning: The lion of God; represents strength
Origin: Hebrew - Tefnut
Meaning: Goddess of moisture; associated with lion traits
Origin: Egyptian - Chimaera
Meaning: Monster; often depicted as lion-like
Origin: Greek - Kali
Meaning: Black; symbolizes power and strength
Origin: Hindu
Names Inspired by African Cultures (Lion Associations)
- Kofi
Meaning: Born on Friday; represents strength
Origin: Akan, Ghana - Amani
Meaning: Peace; symbolizes strength
Origin: Swahili - Amara
Meaning: Grace; signifies strength
Origin: Igbo, Nigeria - Zuberi
Meaning: Strong; represents lion-like strength
Origin: Swahili - Biko
Meaning: Wise One; symbolizes strength
Origin: Xhosa, South Africa - Jabari
Meaning: Brave; signifies strength
Origin: Swahili - Kendara
Meaning: Strong; represents lion-like courage
Origin: Swahili - Thulani
Meaning: Be at peace; symbolizes strength
Origin: Zulu - Tendai
Meaning: To give thanks; signifies strength
Origin: Shona, Zimbabwe - Nuru
Meaning: Light; symbolizes strength
Origin: Swahili - Dakarai
Meaning: To be joyful; signifies a lion-like spirit
Origin: Shona, Zimbabwe - Ayo
Meaning: Joy; symbolizes strength
Origin: Yoruba, Nigeria - Kazi
Meaning: Work; signifies strength
Origin: Swahili - Chike
Meaning: God’s strength; symbolizes lion-like qualities
Origin: Igbo, Nigeria - Zola
Meaning: Peace; signifies inner strength
Origin: Zulu - Femi
Meaning: Love; symbolizes strength
Origin: Yoruba, Nigeria - Makena
Meaning: A happy one; signifies inner strength
Origin: Kikuyu, Kenya - Kwame
Meaning: Born on Saturday; symbolizes strength
Origin: Akan, Ghana - Adisa
Meaning: Clear One; symbolizes strength
Origin: Yoruba, Nigeria - Juma
Meaning: Born on Friday; symbolizes strength
Origin: Swahili
Names Meaning “Fierce” (Lion-Like)
- Khalid
Meaning: Eternal; symbolizes fierceness
Origin: Arabic - Draven
Meaning: Hunter; signifies the fierce spirit
Origin: American - Nikita
Meaning: Unconquerable; symbolizes fierceness
Origin: Russian - Aarav
Meaning: Peaceful; can symbolize fierce inner strength
Origin: Indian - Raina
Meaning: Queen; signifies fierce spirit
Origin: Latin - Kael
Meaning: Mighty warrior; symbolizes fierceness
Origin: Gaelic - Zarek
Meaning: God protects; signifies fierce spirit
Origin: Slavic - Verity
Meaning: Truth; symbolizes fierce conviction
Origin: Latin - Xena
Meaning: The guest; represents a fierce warrior spirit
Origin: Greek - Mira
Meaning: Wonderful; can symbolize fierce determination
Origin: Latin - Malik
Meaning: King; signifies fierce authority
Origin: Arabic - Tarek
Meaning: The morning star; symbolizes fierce spirit
Origin: Arabic - Aine
Meaning: Bright, radiant; signifies fierceness
Origin: Irish - Gwendolyn
Meaning: The white ring; symbolizes fierce loyalty
Origin: Welsh - Rein
Meaning: Counsel; symbolizes fierce strength
Origin: Latin - Shay
Meaning: Stately; signifies a fierce demeanor
Origin: Hebrew - Ira
Meaning: Watchful; symbolizes fierce protector
Origin: Hebrew - Astrid
Meaning: Divine strength; symbolizes fierceness
Origin: Scandinavian - Adira
Meaning: Strong, noble; signifies fierce spirit
Origin: Hebrew - Livia
Meaning: Envious; can represent fierce ambition
Origin: Latin
Names Meaning “King” (Lion-Like)
- Rex
Meaning: King; symbolizes leadership like a lion
Origin: Latin - Malik
Meaning: King; signifies authority
Origin: Arabic - Sovereign
Meaning: The ruler; symbolizes leadership
Origin: English - David
Meaning: Beloved; often associated with kingship
Origin: Hebrew - Henry
Meaning: Estate ruler; symbolizes authority
Origin: German - Leo
Meaning: Lion; signifies regal qualities
Origin: Latin - Kingsley
Meaning: King’s meadow; symbolizes nobility
Origin: English - Zara
Meaning: Princess; signifies royal qualities
Origin: Arabic - Adelard
Meaning: Noble strength; symbolizes kingship
Origin: German - Alfonso
Meaning: Noble and ready; symbolizes kingly qualities
Origin: Spanish - Edmund
Meaning: Wealthy protector; signifies royal authority
Origin: English - Roderick
Meaning: Famous ruler; symbolizes leadership
Origin: German - Cyrus
Meaning: The Sun; symbolizes the kingly presence
Origin: Persian - Rania
Meaning: Queen; signifies royal qualities
Origin: Arabic - Leander
Meaning: Lion man; symbolizes strength and leadership
Origin: Greek - Julius
Meaning: Youthful; symbolizes royal lineage
Origin: Latin - Alexander
Meaning: Defender of men; signifies kingship
Origin: Greek - Khalid
Meaning: Eternal; symbolizes leadership qualities
Origin: Arabic - Balthazar
Meaning: Protect the king; signifies regal authority
Origin: Babylonian - Tiberius
Meaning: Of the Tiber; signifies kingly status
Origin: Latin
Conclusion
Choosing names that mean lion or “lioness” is a powerful way to convey strength, courage, and nobility. Whether for a child, a pet, or a character, these names reflect lions’ majesty and regal presence.
The rich tapestry of meanings and origins presented in this list not only highlights the cultural significance of lions but also allows you to find a name that resonates personally.
As you consider these names, may you discover one that embodies the qualities of bravery, strength, and leadership that lions symbolize across the globe.
Tomi James is a name enthusiast and writer at NamezVibe. With a passion for uncovering the stories behind names, Tomi connects readers with the meanings and cultural roots of their favorites. Outside of writing, she loves exploring diverse naming traditions and trends.
