Given name
Leonela
“having the strength of a lion”
Leonela is a variant of Leona. In Latin use, Leona carries the interpretation “having the strength of a lion.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Leonela is a variant of Leona. In Latin use, Leona carries the interpretation “having the strength of a lion.”
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1980. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Leonela through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 1,057
- 0 boys · 1,057 girls
- Most popular year
- 1985
- 67 babies
- 2025
- 13
- #8,137 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +20%
- Rising
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 13 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 8,137 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 20.0% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 67 in 1985. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 1,426 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Leonela’s family of names
Leonela has a related form in Leona.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Leonela, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Leandra
“resembling a lioness”
>99% girls
Evelia
“giver of life; a lively woman”
>99% girls
Leticia
“one who brings joy to others”
>99% girls
Alona
“one who is as strong as an oak”
>99% girls
Lorena
“crowned with laurel; from the laurel tree”
>99% girls
Camelia
“a ceremonial attendant; a noble virgin”
>99% girls
Erica
“ever the ruler”
>99% girls
Leanna
“the shining light”
>99% girls