leone

Leone is a term with several distinct uses. In Sierra Leone, the leone is the national currency, introduced in 1964 to replace the British West African pound. The currency code is SLL and the symbol Le. It is divided into 100 cents, and the Bank of Sierra Leone issues the coins and banknotes used for everyday transactions.

Leone is also a given name and surname in Italy, derived from the Latin Leo and meaning “lion.” It is used as a masculine given name and as a family name. Among people with this name, Sergio Leone (1929–1989) is a notable Italian film director famed for his influential work in the Spaghetti Western genre; Leone Leoni (c. 1509–1590) was a Renaissance Italian sculptor and art dealer.

As both a currency and a personal name, Leone appears in various cultural and historical contexts. The name continues to be used in Italian-speaking communities, and the leone remains the monetary unit of Sierra Leone in contemporary financial practice.