Find out how popular the first name Lech has been for the last 1 years (from 1982 to 1982) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Lech by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Lech is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1982, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Lech.

The history of the first name Lech

The name Lech finds its origins in the Slavic languages, primarily Polish and Czech. It is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "lędzić," meaning "to cultivate land" or "to clear land for cultivation." The name likely emerged in the early medieval period, around the 6th to 9th centuries CE, when Slavic tribes were establishing settlements across central and eastern Europe.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lech comes from Polish folklore and chronicles. According to legend, Lech was the name of one of the three legendary founders of the Polish nation, along with his brothers Rus and Czekh. This mythical figure is said to have lived in the 5th or 6th century CE and is credited with establishing the Polish state.

In the 9th century CE, the name Lech appeared in the Chronica Polonorum (The Chronicle of the Poles), one of the earliest historical sources on the origins of the Polish people. This chronicle, written by Gallus Anonymus, a medieval chronicler, mentions Lech as the eponymous founder of the Polish nation.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Lech. One of the most significant was Lech Wałęsa (born 1943), a Polish politician, labor activist, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. He played a crucial role in the Solidarity movement and the peaceful transition of Poland from a communist regime to a democratic state in the late 20th century.

Another prominent figure with the name Lech was Lech Kaczyński (1949-2010), a Polish politician who served as the President of Poland from 2005 until his tragic death in a plane crash in 2010. He was a prominent figure in the Solidarity movement and played a significant role in Poland's post-communist transition.

In the realm of sports, Lech Poznań is the name of a famous Polish football (soccer) club based in the city of Poznań. The club was founded in 1922 and has won numerous domestic titles, contributing to the popularity of the name in Poland.

Other notable individuals with the name Lech include Lech Majewski (born 1953), a Polish film director and screenwriter, and Lech Pijanowski (born 1956), a Polish chess grandmaster and former World Chess Championship candidate.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Lech was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Lech, please contact us.

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