Leonhard

Leonhard is a masculine given name of Germanic origin, primarily used in German-speaking regions. It is the German form of Leonard, derived from elements meaning “lion” and “brave” or “hardy.” The name has variants in other languages, including Leonard, Leander, Léonard, and Leonardo.

Historically, the name appeared across medieval Europe among clergy and nobility and is associated with Saint Leonard, a venerated figure in Western Christianity. In German-speaking areas, the form St. Leonhard is used in church dedications and in place names.

Notable people named Leonhard include Leonhard Euler (1707–1783), the Swiss mathematician and physicist who made foundational contributions to calculus, graph theory, and mechanics. Another prominent bearers is Leonhart Fuchs (1501–1566), a German physician and botanist regarded as one of the founders of botany; in some historical sources his name is spelled with a T (“Leonhart”).

Today the form Leonhard remains most common in German-speaking countries, especially Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In many other regions, Leonard or Leonardo is more prevalent, while Leonhard continues to be used primarily as a given name, with occasional appearances as a surname.