For the first time, papal style is meeting baby name fashion head on. What does this mean for little Leos?

The newly elected Pope Leo XIV is breaking historic new ground, not just with his personal background but with his name. The name Leo is hardly unprecedented in the papacy, as the XIV indicates. But from a baby naming perspective, we’re in uncharted waters. The former Cardinal Robert Prevost has become the first pope of the modern name-style era to choose a trendy name.

The Pontifical Name

The first act of a new pope is to choose a regnal name. The choice traditionally points to a personal role model, a predecessor whose life and teachings inspire the new leader. This deeply symbolic decision is scrutinized as a one-word statement of purpose. For instance, when Pope Francis reached outside the papal lineage to name himself after Francis of Assisi, it was read as a sign he would focus on humility and fighting poverty, but be unafraid to shake things up a little. (Read more about papal names from the time of Pope Francis’s election.)

In short, unlike baby names, pontifical name choices are NOT about style. Personal given names have been subject to fashion trends since the Industrial Revolution. Yet during that time, the most common papal name by far has been the ultra-rare given name Pius.

Looking at American baby name history, papal names have only had modest influences. The popular Pope John Paul II did inspire some John-Paul namesakes during his long reign, but never enough to rank the name among the top 1000 for American boys. (Unlike, say, Kal-El, the Kryptonian birth name of Superman.) The name Paul reversed its popularity decline in 1963 when Pope Paul VI was elected, but I suspect that owed more to Paul McCartney and Beatlemania.

Now along comes Leo.

The Shooting Star

Leo is one of the top rising names of the 21st Century. It currently ranks #18 among American boys’ names, ahead of perennial standards like Alexander and John.

The trend extends far beyond US shores. Leo is the #2 name in France, #13 in Sweden, #3 in New Zealand. Leonardo is also a popular choice in many languages, with Leo as a nickname. Stylistically similar names like Theo, Milo, Arlo and Enzo are hot too. The new pope has landed himself in the teeth of a global fashion phenomenon.

The headlines around Leo XIV will put the name at front of mind for expectant parents around the world. Catholic families in particular may welcome the two-for-one chance to honor their new leader and their personal style taste. But in the current naming climate, publicity isn’t always a positive. The moment the new pope’s name was announced, parents started fretting. This Reddit post sets the tone:

Just as a Catholic family might be drawn to a new pope’s name, a non-Catholic family might worry that the name has a new religious focus that doesn’t accurately represent their faith. I don’t think that’s the core issue, though. Notice that the parent on Reddit was thinking about popularity.

The Name Theft Era

The first wave of baby name fashion was about the rise of cities, newspapers, and mobile populations. Thousands of parents were exposed to the same new influences at the same time, so names could go in and out of style. At any given time, though, consensus about suitable names stayed strong. The second wave, starting in the 1960s, was about diversity and self-expression, with “fitting in” taking a back seat.

We’re now in the third wave, in which parents actively avoid popular names. We want our children’s names to stand out and are quick to reject options as already taken. I’m sure the Reddit poster isn’t the only one concerned about Leo XIV “stealing” a classic, ancient name, one borne by saints, emperors, and thirteen previous popes.

We have no precedent to tell us what will happen to the name Leo next. At this moment the new pope is dominating headlines, and it’s easy to imagine that the name will be transformed. If you’re second-guessing your name choice, though, let me reassure you. A classic, popular name steeped in history is the hardest kind of name to steal.

Leo isn’t as immune to theft as bulletproof classics like Elizabeth or William. The name’s lull in the late 20th Century plus its recent Theo-Milo cohort keep it from sounding timeless, per se. But it’s a beloved classic all around the world, which means no individual Leo can ever claim ownership. Not a celebrity, not a politician, and not even a pope.