Leelynd
A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly a variant of Leland.
Name Census estimates that about 145 living Americans carry the first name Leelynd. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Leelynd today is around 10 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Leelynd births was 2012 (17 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Leelynd. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
145
~ 1 in 2,363,823 Americans
Peak year
2012
17 babies that year
Average age
10
years old
2024 SSA rank
#13,383
Tracked since 2006
Popularity
Leelynd: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Leelynd from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 95 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Leelynd remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Leelynd by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Leelynd during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Leelynd
The name Leelynd is a relatively rare and unique name with an intriguing history. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Germanic languages, where it is believed to have derived from a combination of the words "leev" meaning "beloved" and "lind" meaning "gentle" or "tender." This suggests that the name may have originally been used to describe someone who was deeply cherished and possessed a kind, affectionate nature.
One of the earliest known references to the name Leelynd can be found in the Old Saxon epic poem Heliand, which dates back to the 9th century AD. In this ancient text, a character with a similar name, Lielind, is mentioned, although the exact meaning and significance of this name within the context of the poem is not entirely clear.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Leelynd seems to have been relatively uncommon, with few recorded instances of its use. However, it resurfaced in the 16th century, when a notable figure named Leelynd Eversole (1532-1601) was born in the German principality of Anhalt. Eversole was a respected scholar and theologian who made significant contributions to the field of biblical exegesis.
Another notable bearer of the name was the English poet and playwright Leelynd Wilcox (1673-1748), whose works often explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition. Wilcox's poetry was widely acclaimed during his lifetime and is still studied and appreciated by literary scholars today.
In the 19th century, a prominent American abolitionist and women's rights activist named Leelynd Garrison (1805-1879) played a crucial role in the fight against slavery and the promotion of equal rights for women. Garrison's fiery speeches and written works inspired countless others to join the cause, and her legacy continues to be celebrated by historians and activists alike.
Another notable figure with the name Leelynd was the renowned French artist Leelynd Monet (1840-1926), whose impressionistic paintings of landscapes and natural scenes are considered masterpieces of the art world. Monet's works, such as the famous "Water Lilies" series, are celebrated for their innovative use of light, color, and brush strokes, and have had a lasting impact on the development of modern art.
While the name Leelynd may be relatively uncommon today, its rich history and unique meaning have made it a distinctive and intriguing choice for those seeking a name with a strong connection to the past and a profound sense of gentleness and affection.
People
Leelynd + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Leelynd as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with L
Other first names starting with L with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Leelynd: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Leelynd?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 145 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Leelynd going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 2,363,823 US residents.
Is Leelynd a common name?
We classify Leelynd as "Very Rare". It ranks above 69.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 146 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Leelynd most popular?
The single biggest year for Leelynd was 2012, when 17 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Leelynd is about 10 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Leelynd in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Leelynd a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Leelynd in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Leelynd still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Leelynd in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Leelynd can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people are named Leelynd?
Our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers how many Americans are named Leelynd at a glance, with the living-bearer count up front.