The name Leandra has its origins in the Greek language, and it is believed to have emerged during the classical period of ancient Greece. The name is derived from the Greek word "leander," which means "lion man" or "lion-like."

In Greek mythology, Leander was a young man from Abydos who fell in love with Hero, a priestess of Aphrodite who lived in Sestos, across the Hellespont strait. Every night, Leander would swim across the strait to meet his beloved Hero, guided by a lamp she lit atop a tower. Tragically, one stormy night, the lamp was extinguished, and Leander lost his way and drowned.

The earliest recorded use of the name Leandra can be traced back to ancient Greek literature, where it was occasionally used as a feminine variant of the masculine name Leander. However, it was not until the Middle Ages that the name gained more widespread popularity, particularly in regions with strong Greek cultural influences, such as parts of Italy and Spain.

One of the earliest notable historical figures bearing the name Leandra was Leandra of Valencia, a Spanish noblewoman who lived in the 13th century. She is known for her philanthropy and patronage of the arts, and she played a significant role in the cultural and intellectual life of Valencia during that time.

Another famous Leandra was Leandra Frescobaldi, an Italian Renaissance poet who lived in Florence during the 15th century. She was renowned for her lyrical and romantic poetry, which celebrated love and beauty.

In the 17th century, Leandra de Osorio y Guzmán was a Spanish noble and courtier who served as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Mariana of Austria, the second wife of King Philip IV of Spain.

Moving forward to the 19th century, Leandra Ramm was a German artist and painter known for her delicate and detailed portraiture. She was particularly celebrated for her depictions of children and domestic scenes.

Finally, in the 20th century, Leandra Medine was an American fashion blogger and author. She founded the popular fashion blog "Man Repeller" in 2010, which aimed to celebrate and embrace unconventional and avant-garde fashion choices. Her blog gained a significant following and helped popularize the name Leandra in recent decades.