Leonida is an intriguing and somewhat uncommon given name, believed to have originated from Latin roots. It is derived from the male name "Aeneas," which means "to praise" or "to speak well of." The female variant of Aeneas, Leonida, is thus associated with the concept of praise or admiration.
The name Leonida has been recorded in history as a women's name, notably in the case of Leonida Bissolati, an Italian suffragette and politician who lived during the late 19th to early 20th century. This lends some historical context to the name, although it remains relatively rare compared to more popular names.
In terms of cultural significance, Leonida may be connected to the ancient Roman goddess of war, Bellona, whose Greek equivalent was Enyo. However, this is purely speculative and not widely recognized as a direct derivation of the name.
Today, Leonida may be chosen for its unique sound or perhaps as a nod to historical figures like Bissolati. It is often associated with strength and admiration due to its masculine counterpart's meaning but can also evoke a sense of elegance when used for females.
The name Leonida experienced a period of popularity between 1913 and 1929, with the years 1920 to 1923 showing consistent usage among parents choosing this name for their daughters, peaking at six births in 1922. However, its popularity waned after 1929, resulting in a total of twenty-six girls named Leonida born during this ten-year span.