Latinized form of the Greek name
Λεανδρος (Leandros), derived from
λεων (leon) meaning "lion" and
ανηρ (aner) meaning "man" (genitive
ανδρος). In Greek legend Leander was the lover of Hero. Every night he swam across the Hellespont to meet her, but on one occasion he was drowned when a storm arose. When Hero saw his dead body she threw herself into the waters and perished.