Find out how popular the first name Leland has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Leland by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Leland is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Leland being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 564 male babies and 16 female babies born with the name Leland.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 16 baby girls were named Leland in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Leland

The given name Leland has its origins in the English language, derived from the Old English words "lēah" meaning "meadow" or "field," and "land" meaning "land" or "territory." It is a compound name that can be interpreted as "meadow land" or "field land," likely referring to a person who lived or worked on a meadow or field.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Leland can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landholdings and property ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Leilande," referring to a person who owned or lived on a meadow or field.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Leland was primarily used in England and other parts of the British Isles. It gained some popularity during the Renaissance period, with several notable individuals bearing this name.

One of the most famous historical figures named Leland was John Leland, an English poet and antiquarian who lived from 1506 to 1552. He is known for his extensive travels throughout England, documenting and preserving historical records, manuscripts, and artifacts.

Another notable Leland was Charles Godfrey Leland, an American humorist, folklorist, and author, who lived from 1824 to 1903. He is best known for his work in preserving and documenting the folklore and traditions of various cultures, particularly the Roma people.

In the 20th century, Leland Stanford, an American industrialist, philanthropist, and the founder of Stanford University, was born in 1824 and lived until 1893. His legacy includes the establishment of one of the most prestigious universities in the United States.

Leland Ossian Howard, an American entomologist and author, lived from 1857 to 1950. He made significant contributions to the field of economic entomology and served as the chief of the Bureau of Entomology in the United States Department of Agriculture.

Another notable Leland was Leland Hartwell, an American scientist and Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine in 2001. He was born in 1939 and is recognized for his contributions to the understanding of cell cycle regulation and cancer research.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Leland, showcasing its enduring presence and significance across various fields and cultures.

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 Leland was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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