Meaning and Origin
What does the name Napoleon mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of Napoleon
User Submitted Origins
Italian
57%
French
22%
English
17%
Greek
4%
User Submitted Meanings
- According to a user from California, U.S., the name Napoleon means "(Italian) One came from Neapolis (New city) in Italy; descendent of Napoleon (Lion of forest)".
- A submission from Ethiopia says the name Napoleon means "The Lion of the New City" and is of Greek origin.
- According to a user from Maryland, U.S., the name Napoleon is of Italian origin and means "Lion of the field".
- A submission from Philippines says the name Napoleon means "Military Commander".
International Interest
Also see international interest
Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
Napoleon Bonaparte (or Buonaparte), Born at Ajaccio, Corsica, Aug. 15, 1766, or, according to some, at Corte, Jan. 7, 1768; died at Longwood, St. Helena, May 5, 1821. Emperor of the French 1804-14.
noun Na*po"le*on
Senses
- A French gold coin of twenty francs, no longer minted or circulated. It bore the portrait of Napoleon I. or Napoleon III.
- [Card Playing]
- A game in which each player holds five cards, the eldest hand stating the number of tricks he will bid to take, any subsequent player having the right to overbid him or a previous bidder, the highest bidder naming the trump and winning a number of points equal to his bid if he makes so many tricks, or losing the same number of points if he fails to make them.
- A bid to take five tricks at napoleon. It is ordinarily the highest bid; but sometimes bids are allowed of wellington, or of blucher, to take five tricks, or pay double, or treble, if unsuccessful.
- A game in which each player holds five cards, the eldest hand stating the number of tricks he will bid to take, any subsequent player having the right to overbid him or a previous bidder, the highest bidder naming the trump and winning a number of points equal to his bid if he makes so many tricks, or losing the same number of points if he fails to make them.
- A Napoleon gun.
- A kind of top boot of the middle of the 19th century.
- A shape and size of cigar. It is about seven inches long.
- a puff pastry confection, usually layered, with a filling of custard or cream, or sometimes jelly.
Etymology: From the Emperor Napoleon 1
Other Dictionary Sources
- A card game similar to whist; usually played for stakes
- A rectangular piece of pastry with thin flaky layers and filled with custard cream
- French general who became emperor of the French (1769-1821)
Wiktionary
From French Napoléon, from Italian Napoleone, name of an early saint, of uncertain origin; possibly from the Germanic clan name Nibelung. By folk etymology explained as Napoli (“Naples”) + leone (“lion”).
- Napoleon Bonaparte.
- A male given name from Italian sometimes given in honor of the French emperor.
- A city, the county seat of Henry County, Ohio.
- A census-designated place in Michigan.
- A city, the county seat of Logan County, North Dakota.
- A town in Indiana.
- A city in Missouri.
- A village in Silesia, Poland.
- An unincorporated community in Kentucky.
- An unincorporated community in Mississippi.
- A ghost town in Arkansas.
- Alternative form of napoleon
Napoleon was also found in the following language(s): Cebuano, Czech, Dutch, Faroese, and German