Leonov

Leonov is a Russian surname derived from the given name Leon, with the patronymic suffix -ov, meaning “belonging to Leon” or “son of Leon.” The feminine form is Leonova. The name is common in Russia and other Slavic regions and appears in various fields.

The most prominent bearer of the name is Alexei Arkhipovich Leonov (1934–2019), a Soviet cosmonaut and air force pilot. He became the first person to perform a spacewalk outside a spacecraft on March 18, 1965, during the Voskhod 2 mission, a historic achievement that showcased human spaceflight capabilities. His spacewalking test lasted approximately 12 minutes. Leonov later served in leadership roles within the Soviet space program and commanded the Soyuz 19 spacecraft during the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project in 1975, the first docking of U.S. and Soviet spacecraft. He remained an influential advocate for space exploration and international cooperation in space activities.

Beyond Alexei Leonov, the surname is carried by numerous individuals across Russia and other countries, reflecting its widespread use. The name Leonov is encountered in various cultural, scientific, and professional contexts, and it persists as a common Slavic surname with feminine form Leonova.