Leon

Leon is one of the leonine names that is extremely hot in Europe right now--it's been the top name in Germany and Number 2 in Switzerland. And though it peaked here in the 1920s, it is slowly making its way back, now at Number 357, and it could climb further with parents wanting a more serious and studious alternative to Leo.

Russian Marxist Revolutionary Lev Davidovich Bronstein is known to history as Leon Trotsky, Leon (LAY-on) has been the name of three French prime ministers and is currently in the news via Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta; Leon Russell is a respected singer-songrwriter-- and Brad and Angelina did use Leon for their twin son Knox's middle name.