Lately I’ve started to love the name [name]Leon[/name]. Meaning is very, very important to me when considering a name. I love that lions symbolize strength, dignity, courage, and [name]Christ[/name] (I’m [name]Christian[/name]). I’ve been reading about the significance and symbolism of lions throughout history and other cultures as well, and that has been very interesting and enlightening. I also saw on Behind the Name that [name]Leon[/name] is popular throughout Europe but not so much here in the US. So, what do you think of [name]Leon[/name]? Which syllable do you put emphasis on? And are there any [name]Leo[/name] names you like better?
I like [name]Leon[/name], for some reason it’s quite popular in the jewish community so I meet [name]Leon[/name]'s every now and then. I pronounce it [name]LEE[/name]-uhn, but I know some who say lee-ON (more french I guess).
My favourite [name]Leo[/name]-name is [name]Leopold[/name], then [name]Leonidas[/name]. Leofric is cool too.
I like [name]Leon[/name] quite a bit! I say it [name]LEE[/name]-on. My childhood babysitter’s husband was named [name]Leon[/name], I always thought it was boring and blah on him but I think it’d be quite striking to meet someone with the name now! I love the Biblical symbolism, as well.
As for [name]Leo[/name] names I prefer, I do prefer [name]Leopold[/name], and possibly just [name]Leo[/name], too.
@ottilie: I do like Leofric but can’t imagine myself using it.
I put the emphasis mostly on the first syllable, but also on the second, if that makes any sense. LEEon like the word FEVER not like [name]Liam[/name], which is more strongly weighted toward the first syllable.
And I like it. I find it really jazzy and kind of sexy. I associate it with [name]Leon[/name] [name]James[/name], the amazing lindy-hopper.
I love it. I pronounce it [name]LEE[/name]-on.
I like [name]Leon[/name], and pronounce it [name]Lee[/name]-on - emphasis on first syllable. We chose [name]Leander[/name] as a middle name for our son for the meaning. Considered [name]Lionel[/name] as well. I also really like just [name]Leo[/name] on it’s own.
Me either, I just feel it needs to be mentioned… it sounds so happy and fun!
[name]Lee[/name]-on, emphasis on [name]Lee[/name]. I think this name is ok, but not ideal in an American accent. I have met older [name]Leon[/name]'s, all of them Jewish besides one black man.
This name is like [name]Louis[/name] to me. It’s just nicer in practically ever accent beside mine!
I’m starting to like [name]Lionel[/name] a little more than [name]Leon[/name]…
[name]Leon[/name] has potential- I’m kind of starting to like it. I love the lion meaning (my son is [name]Leo[/name]). I like [name]Lionel[/name] better, but a cute, charming kid could warm me up to [name]Leon[/name].
My husband’s name is [name]Leo[/name], and I frequently call him [name]Leon[/name]. It’s a fun name that is cute for a baby, but can grow over time. He can also always shorten it to [name]Leo[/name].
I like [name]Leon[/name] a lot. It feels stronger to me than [name]Leo[/name]. “[name]Jazzy[/name]” mentioned upthread wasn’t a bad description.
I prefer it to [name]Leo[/name], which I only know on very young babies or very very old men. [name]Leon[/name] I know on a range of types and many of them quite good-looking. lol
I also like [name]Leonardo[/name], but it’s a lot of name.
My favourite lion names, however, aren’t [name]Leo[/name]-names. I love [name]Ari[/name], and [name]Judah[/name], which is often associated with lions in the folklore I grew up with. [name]Ari[/name] [name]Judah[/name] is a favourite combo actually. [name]Judah[/name] was lion like [name]Benjamin[/name] was wolf and [name]Naphtali[/name] was deer though - the names were often used to symbolize each other, but it wasn’t a literal meaning. Conversely, a lot of [name]Aris[/name] and Judahs became [name]Leo[/name] and [name]Leon[/name] when they hit the US, which brings us on a nice little loop. 
I prefer the French pronunciation: [name]Lay[/name]-own. It is number two on my boy’s list.
I’ve actually become OBSESSED with this name recently, it’s one of the top names I’d consider if I was having a boy I love that it is very classic, handsome, and dignified but is very unique these days so has a definite edge of cool. I love the nickname [name]Leo[/name] and if I had a [name]Leon[/name] they’d probably go by [name]Leo[/name] all the time. [name]Leon[/name] is my favorite full name for [name]Leo[/name], though I also like [name]Lionel[/name] (if [name]Leo[/name] is considered a nickname for that). I say [name]LEE[/name]-on, that’s the only way I’ve ever heard it said.