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Napoleon
Fact sheet
- Name
- Napoleon
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- Boy name
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The male first name Napoleon (Napoléon) represents the French form of the Italian name Napoleone, whose roots go back to the name Nevelone. The exact origins of the name have not yet been definitively clarified.
What does the name Napoleon mean?
The name Napoleon (Napoléon) is the French variant of the Italian Napoleone, which is traced back to Nevelone. It is believed to be derived from the ancient German name Nibelung, which consists of the Old High German elements nibel for "fog" and ung as a patronymic suffix. This leads to the meaning "the sons of the fog." Additionally, it has also been associated with the Greek name Neápolis (Νεάπολις), which refers to the Italian city of Naples. In this context, the name means "the new city" or "the man from Naples" and is composed of the Ancient Greek words néa (νέα) for "new" and pólis (πόλις) for "city." There may also be a connection to the Ancient Greek terms nápæ for "valley" and léōn for "lion," which could yield the meaning "the lion from the valley" or "the lion from Naples." The name became famous through the French Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte. The Lithuanian variant is Napoleonas.
Where does the name Napoleon come from?
The name Napoleon has its roots in Ancient Greek and Old High German and means "the sons of the fog." It is derived from Nibelung, a
How do you pronounce Napoleon?
The pronunciation of the name Napoleon is four syllables and melodic. In the German language, it is usually pronounced as "Na-po-le-on" [napoˈleːɔn], which creates a wide-ranging and rhythmically pronounced sound structure. The open vowel sequence conveys an almost ceremonial sound effect, while the ending "leon" forms a solemn conclusion. This makes the name impressive and dominant – sonorous, present, and with a powerful, historical aura.
Popularity
In Germany, Napoleon is a rather rare first name. Currently, it ranks 5,840th on the list of the most common male first names. Its best ranking was in 2005 at 827th place. In the last ten years, the name has been given about 10 times, placing it at 6,380th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 5,629th. Worldwide, the popularity of the name varies.
Nicknames & pet names
Leo / Leon / Napi agapi / Napipi / Napo / Nappi / Poli
Famous people
- Napoleon Bonaparte (French - actually Corsican - statesman and military leader)
- Napoleon III (French Emperor (1808-1873))
Frequently asked questions about the name Napoleon
What is the origin of the name Napoleon?
The name Napoleon has its roots in Ancient Greek and Old High German. It is derived from the ancient name Nibelung, which consists of the elements 'nibel' for 'fog' and 'ung' as a patronymic suffix.
What does the name Napoleon mean?
The meaning of the name is often interpreted as 'the sons of the fog.' It is also associated with the Greek Neápolis, which means 'the new city,' as well as with the words for 'valley' and 'lion,' which can lead to 'the lion from the valley.'
How popular is the name Napoleon?
The name Napoleon has historically become known through the figure of the French Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte; however, it is less common today than many other first names. Nevertheless, it has its followers in various cultures and countries, such as Lithuania.