Find out how popular the first name Lenley has been for the last 2 years (from 2022 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Lenley by gender

Based on the last 2 years of data, Lenley is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 13 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Lenley.

The history of the first name Lenley

The name Lenley is an anglicized form of the Old French name Leonleu, which itself derives from the Germanic name Leunleof, composed of the elements "leun" meaning "lion" and "leof" meaning "dear" or "beloved." The name likely emerged during the Middle Ages, likely in areas of modern-day France and England where French and Germanic cultures intermingled.

One of the earliest known bearers of a similar name was Leunlef, a Frankish nobleman who lived in the 8th century and served as a trusted advisor to Charlemagne. Records from this period suggest that variants like Leonleu and Lenley were used interchangeably by scribes transcribing the name.

In the 11th century, a monk named Lenley is mentioned in the chronicles of the Benedictine abbey at Cluny, one of the great centers of monastic life and learning in medieval Europe. This provides evidence that the name had spread within religious circles by this time.

During the 12th century, a knight named Sir Lenley de Montfort fought alongside Richard the Lionheart in the Third Crusade. He is recorded as having been present at the Siege of Acre in 1191 and the Battle of Jaffa in 1192.

In the 15th century, an English archer named Lenley Woodstock gained renown for his skill with the longbow, serving in the armies of Henry V during the latter stages of the Hundred Years' War. He is believed to have fought at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.

A 16th century Italian artist named Lenleo Bresciano, likely an Italianized form of Lenley, produced a series of frescoes depicting scenes from Greek mythology that can still be seen in the Palazzo Ducale in Venice.

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

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

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