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

Popularity of Lenny by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Lenny is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 91% of people named Lenny being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 133 male babies and 50 female babies born with the name Lenny.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 50 baby girls were named Lenny in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Lenny

The name Lenny is a diminutive form of the given name Leonard, which has its origins in the Germanic languages. Leonard is derived from the elements "leun" meaning "lion" and "hart" meaning "brave" or "hardy." Together, the name can be interpreted to mean "brave as a lion" or "lion-hearted."

The name Leonard gained popularity during the Middle Ages, particularly in regions with Germanic influence, such as present-day Germany, Austria, and parts of France. It was often associated with strength, courage, and bravery, qualities admired in medieval times.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Leonard can be found in the 5th century, when a Frankish noble named Leonard of Noblac lived in what is now western France. He later became venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, and his cult following contributed to the widespread use of the name across Europe.

During the medieval period, several notable figures bore the name Leonard. One example is Leonard of Pisa, an Italian mathematician and philosopher who lived in the 13th century and made significant contributions to the development of algebra.

In the Renaissance era, the name Leonard continued to be used, and several artists and intellectuals carried it. Leonard da Vinci (1452-1519), the famous Italian polymath, is perhaps the most renowned bearer of the name from this period.

Other notable individuals with the name Leonard include the Russian composer Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990), known for his works such as "West Side Story" and his contributions to classical music and conducting.

Leonard Cohen (1934-2016) was a Canadian singer-songwriter and poet, whose introspective and poetic lyrics earned him critical acclaim and a devoted following.

In the realm of literature, Leonard Woolf (1880-1969) was a British writer and publisher, best known as the husband of the renowned author Virginia Woolf.

Leonard Nimoy (1931-2015) was an American actor and director, who gained worldwide fame for his portrayal of the iconic character Spock in the "Star Trek" television series and films.

The diminutive form Lenny emerged as a familiar or affectionate version of the name Leonard, particularly in English-speaking countries. While the origins of the name can be traced back to the Germanic languages and medieval Europe, its diminutive form Lenny has become a distinct and widely recognized name in its own right.

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

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

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