Leman first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Leman has been for the last 24 years (from 1974 to 1997) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Leman

Of Turkish origin, meaning "emanation" or "ray of light".

Popularity of Leman by gender

Based on the last 24 years of data, Leman is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1997, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Leman.

Year Male Count Female Count
1997 5 0
1990 6 0
1988 5 0
1987 6 0
1986 5 0
1980 5 0
1979 7 0
1978 6 0
1977 5 0
1976 5 0
1974 8 0

The history of the first name Leman

The given name Leman is believed to have originated from the Turkish language. Its roots can be traced back to the Ottoman Empire and the regions that are now part of modern-day Turkey. The name is closely related to the Turkish word "leman," which means "harbor" or "cove."

In the early days of the Ottoman Empire, the name Leman was often bestowed upon children born in coastal regions or near major ports. It was a way to symbolize the importance of the maritime trade and the seafaring traditions that were deeply ingrained in the culture of the time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Leman can be found in the writings of the renowned Ottoman historian and traveler, Evliya Çelebi, who lived in the 17th century. In his travelogues, he mentions encountering individuals with the name Leman during his journeys across the Ottoman lands.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Leman. One of the most prominent was Leman bin Abdullah (1623-1688), a Turkish naval commander who played a significant role in the Ottoman naval campaigns in the Mediterranean Sea during the latter half of the 17th century.

Another notable bearer of the name was Leman Osman Bey (1804-1868), a Turkish statesman and diplomat who served as the Ottoman Ambassador to various European countries, including France and Austria, during the mid-19th century.

In the realm of literature, Leman Sami (1864-1933) was a renowned Turkish novelist and playwright who contributed significantly to the development of modern Turkish literature. His works often explored themes of social justice and the changing dynamics of Ottoman society.

Moving beyond the Ottoman Empire, the name Leman also found its way into other cultural spheres. In the 19th century, there was a French artist named Leman Gaudin (1825-1892) who gained recognition for his landscape paintings depicting the scenic beauty of the French countryside.

Another notable figure was Leman Sexton (1883-1961), an American educator and women's rights activist who played a significant role in promoting equal educational opportunities for women in the early 20th century.

While the name Leman has its roots in the Turkish language and culture, it has transcended geographical boundaries and found its way into various societies and contexts throughout history, leaving an indelible mark on diverse fields such as naval warfare, diplomacy, literature, art, and social reform.

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

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

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"Leman first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 15, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/leman-meaning-and-history/.

"Leman first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/leman-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 15 May, 2025

Leman first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/leman-meaning-and-history/.

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