Leny first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Leny has been for the last 34 years (from 1990 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Leny

A feminine diminutive form of the Russian name Elena, derived from the Greek meaning "light".

Popularity of Leny by gender

Based on the last 34 years of data, Leny is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 68% of people named Leny being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Leny.

It's also interesting to see that despite Leny being historically a mostly male name, the most recent data from 2023 shows a shift in the trend, with more female babies being named Leny.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 5
2022 7 6
2018 6 0
2014 5 0
2011 6 5
2010 6 0
2009 8 0
2008 7 0
2007 7 0
2006 8 6
2005 5 0
2003 5 0
1993 0 5
1990 0 6

The history of the first name Leny

The name Leny is thought to have originated as a diminutive or nickname form of the name Helen, derived from the Greek name Helene. The name Helen itself stems from the Greek word "helene," meaning light or torch. Leny is believed to have emerged as a pet name or shortened version of Helen, particularly in Eastern European countries like Russia, Ukraine, and Poland.

Records of the name Leny can be traced back to the late 19th century and early 20th century in these regions. It was commonly used as an affectionate form of address for women named Helen or variations of the name, such as Yelena or Olena.

One of the earliest known individuals named Leny was Leny Everse, a Dutch artist born in 1888. She was a painter and printmaker known for her landscapes and cityscapes depicting scenes from the Netherlands.

In the realm of literature, Leny Wilkens was a Dutch writer born in 1938. She was renowned for her children's books and young adult novels, which often explored themes of family, friendship, and coming-of-age experiences.

Leny Revill, born in 1945, was a British actress and singer. She gained recognition for her roles in several television shows and films during the 1960s and 1970s, including "Doctor in the House" and "The Saint."

Leny Andrade, born in 1943, is a Brazilian singer and songwriter who has been active in the music industry since the 1960s. She is known for her interpretations of bossa nova and Música Popular Brasileira (MPB) songs.

Leny Nayman, born in 1937, was a Polish-born Israeli author and translator. She wrote numerous books and articles, including works on Jewish history and culture, and was celebrated for her contributions to promoting understanding between different communities.

While the name Leny has its roots in Eastern Europe and was more commonly used in the past, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly among communities with Eastern European heritage or connections.

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

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

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"Leny first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 6, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/leny-meaning-and-history/.

"Leny first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/leny-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 6 May, 2025

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

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