Find out how popular the first name Lenni has been for the last 48 years (from 1977 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Lenni by gender

Based on the last 48 years of data, Lenni is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 95% of people named Lenni being female.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 45 female babies and 6 male babies born with the name Lenni.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 6 baby boys were named Lenni in 2024, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Lenni

The name Lenni is believed to have originated from the Scandinavian languages, specifically the Old Norse root "lenn" which translates to "shelter" or "protection." It first emerged in the Viking era, around the 8th to 11th centuries, and was predominantly used in areas of modern-day Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Lenni can be traced back to ancient Norse sagas and chronicles, where it was often used to describe warriors or chieftains who provided shelter and safety to their people. One notable example is the legendary Norwegian king, Lenni Fairhair, who reigned in the 9th century and is credited with unifying Norway into a single kingdom.

In the Middle Ages, the name Lenni gained popularity across Scandinavia and parts of northern Europe. It was often associated with strength, resilience, and leadership qualities. One prominent figure bearing this name was Lenni Torfason, an Icelandic scholar and historian from the 12th century, renowned for his work on the history of the Norwegian kings.

As the name spread beyond its Nordic roots, it took on various spellings and variations, such as Lenny, Len, and Lennart. In the 15th century, a Dutch painter named Lenni Koster gained recognition for his religious artwork and portraiture. His works can still be found in museums across the Netherlands.

During the Renaissance period, the name Lenni was also adopted by several Italian artists and intellectuals. One notable figure was Lenni Palmieri, a Florentine philosopher and humanist from the late 15th century, who wrote extensively on ethics and the virtues of a well-rounded education.

In more recent history, the name Lenni has been associated with several notable individuals, including Lenni Brenner, an American author and activist born in 1937, who wrote extensively on the topic of Jewish-Arab relations and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Additionally, Lenni Sakava, a Finnish writer and playwright born in 1938, gained recognition for her works exploring themes of identity, relationships, and societal issues.

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

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

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