The nameLenny
Lenny is a cheerful short form of Leonard, close to its best level in England and Wales.
- Boy's name
- Germanic
- Feast day
Meaning
Lenny shortens Leonard, from the Germanic leon, "lion", and hard, "brave".
Origin
Germanic.
History
Lenny reached 140th place in England and Wales in 2023. In the United States it was most used around 1960.
Lenny in other languages
Lenny is the English pet form of Leonard. The same family gives Léonard in French, Leonhard in German and Leonardo in Italian, Spanish and Portuguese.
Famous people named Lenny
- Lenny Kravitz, singer
- Lenny Henry, comedian
- Lenny Bruce, comedian
Popularity of the name Lenny
Lenny in the United States
Lenny was most popular in the United States in the 1960s, with 1,558 births over the decade, 18% of all recorded babies named Lenny. Its rise began around 1939, and it peaked in 1960. Half of all babies named Lenny in the United States were born before 1978, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 164 births a year on average, against 136 in the five years before.
Lenny in the United Kingdom
Lenny was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 2,642 births over the decade, 46% of all recorded babies named Lenny. Its rise began around 2003, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Lenny in the United Kingdom were born before 2018, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 382 births a year.
Lenny in France
Lenny in Belgium
Lenny in Switzerland
Lenny in Austria
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Lenny
Names from the same generation as Lenny, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Lenny? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Lenny with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Lenny side by side with the name of your choice.
Lenny in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lenny mean?
Lenny shortens Leonard, from the Germanic leon, "lion", and hard, "brave".
What is the origin of the name Lenny?
Germanic.
Is Lenny a girl's or a boy's name?
Lenny is a boy's name. In the United States, 8% of the babies named Lenny are girls.
How popular is the name Lenny?
In 2024, Lenny was the 1370th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 137 births.
What are the variants of the name Lenny?
Variants and related names of Lenny include Leny and Leonard.
What are good sibling names for Lenny?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Ida, Ema, Mina and Bernadette for a sister, Bruno, Henri, Armin and Lucien for a brother.
Who are famous people named Lenny?
Lenny Kravitz, singer; Lenny Henry, comedian; Lenny Bruce, comedian.