Lenny - A very unique male name
Lenny at a glance
Lenny is ranked #1488 among boy baby names in 2025, with 70 births in 2025. It peaked in 1960 at #567 and first appeared on the charts in 1923.
- Rank in 2025
- #1488
- Births in 2025
- 70
- Peak year
- 1960 (#567)
- First appeared
- 1923
- Trend
- #1637 in 2020 → #1488 in 2025 (Rising)
- Popularity
- 1 in 20,947 boys
- Visitor rating
- 4.4/5 (22 recent votes)
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration · Data through 2025 · Updated 2026
With that position 1 in 20,947 baby boys were given this name - making this a very unique male name according to our Popularity Score algorithm. Lenny peaked in popularity 66 years ago in 1960 on position 567.
Famous with this name
Lenny Rush
Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Venito
How would you rate Lenny, 1-5?
Lenny is currently topping the charts in...
Did you know that popularity can vary a lot between states? Lenny is currently topping the baby name charts in Massachusetts at position #855 - and is the least popular in Texas at position #1,617.Why care about state specific baby name charts? It could be that a name that is very popular on the national overall charts is less (or even more) popular where you live. So make sure you check out the state specific charts below and find out how popular or unique Lenny is where you live.
Comment and discuss
Lenny origin and meaning
Diminutive of Leonard (Germanic)
Lion-hardy — as a short form of Leonard, from Germanic lev, 'lion,' and hard, 'brave, hardy'
Lenny is the familiar short form of Leonard, now often given on its own. It peaked as an independent name in 1960 and has risen slightly since 2020, part of the wider return of friendly nickname names.
Attested etymology
Lenny is a 5 letter name with 2 syllables.
To see famous people named Lenny, pop culture references for the name Lenny and nicknames & variations - visit Nameberry or Wikipedia.Similar to Lenny
We've found the following names that sound similar to Lenny, sorted by popularity.
Liam / Leon / Lonnie / Lynn / Lane / Layne / Lanny / Lennon / Lon / Lian /Name statistics
Most parents-to-be know if they want a popular or unique name, and with these charts and data tables you can easily get a better
understanding of how popular or unique this name is.
With a quick glance you can easily tell if this name is increasing or declining in popularity - But note that its current popularity can actually
differ a lot from state to state.
Chart position per year (visualized)
Chart position per state (visualized)
Chart position per year (table view)
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 1488 |
| 2024 | 1387 |
| 2023 | 1348 |
| 2022 | 1474 |
| 2021 | 1498 |
| 2020 | 1637 |
| 2019 | 1587 |
| 2018 | 1802 |
| 2017 | 1525 |
| 2016 | 1309 |
| 2015 | 1121 |
| 2014 | 1576 |
| 2013 | 1410 |
| 2012 | 1303 |
| 2011 | 1220 |
| 2010 | 1161 |
| 2009 | 1502 |
| 2008 | 1511 |
| 2007 | 1451 |
| 2006 | 1324 |
| 2005 | 1445 |
| 2004 | 1429 |
| 2003 | 1687 |
| 2002 | 1489 |
| 2001 | 1663 |
| 2000 | 1542 |
| 1999 | 1961 |
| 1998 | 1418 |
| 1997 | 2989 |
| 1996 | 1832 |
| 1995 | 1594 |
| 1994 | 1626 |
| 1993 | 1401 |
| 1992 | 1801 |
| 1991 | 1378 |
| 1990 | 1559 |
| 1989 | 1488 |
| 1988 | 1336 |
| 1987 | 1194 |
| 1986 | 1102 |
| 1985 | 1244 |
| 1984 | 1332 |
| 1983 | 1064 |
| 1982 | 899 |
| 1981 | 1134 |
| 1980 | 913 |
| 1979 | 782 |
| 1978 | 777 |
| 1977 | 956 |
| 1976 | 703 |
| 1975 | 730 |
| 1974 | 879 |
| 1973 | 940 |
| 1972 | 799 |
| 1971 | 779 |
| 1970 | 784 |
| 1969 | 761 |
| 1968 | 787 |
| 1967 | 703 |
| 1966 | 664 |
| 1965 | 674 |
| 1964 | 658 |
| 1963 | 627 |
| 1962 | 603 |
| 1961 | 589 |
| 1960 | 567 |
| 1959 | 647 |
| 1958 | 639 |
| 1957 | 643 |
| 1956 | 736 |
| 1955 | 864 |
| 1954 | 840 |
| 1953 | 938 |
| 1952 | 1185 |
| 1951 | 1328 |
| 1950 | 1174 |
| 1949 | 1173 |
| 1948 | 829 |
| 1947 | 882 |
| 1946 | 770 |
| 1945 | 1010 |
| 1944 | 1053 |
| 1943 | 1096 |
| 1942 | 1190 |
| 1941 | 1387 |
| 1940 | 1111 |
| 1939 | 1266 |
| 1938 | 1241 |
| 1937 | 1314 |
| 1936 | 1586 |
| 1923 | 1649 |
Chart position per state (table view)
| State | Rank |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 855 |
| Washington | 856 |
| Illinois | 981 |
| California | 1136 |
| Florida | 1314 |
| North Carolina | 1396 |
| New York | 1502 |
| Texas | 1617 |
Even more about Lenny
These are some of the common questions you may want to have answered to know if this is the perfect name for your baby.
Is Lenny a common or unique name?
By analyzing the number of births and frequency of this name we've determined that it's currently a very unique male name.What is the number of syllables for the name Lenny?
2 syllables. Why is this important? One of the things that makes a baby name sound good and have a nice rythm is the number of syllables - and especially the number of syllables along with the syllable count for your last name. A simple rule is to avoid having the same number of syllables in your first, middle and last name.Pronunciation
LEN-ee · /ˈlɛni/
Around the world
No traditional forms in other languages — this name was created in America in our own time.
Spellings and nicknames
- Lennie — Respelling, familiar from Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men.
Famous bearers
- Lenny Kravitz — American rock musician known for songs including 'American Woman' and 'Fly Away' (b. 1964) Contemporary
- Lenny Bruce — American stand-up comedian and free-speech figure (1925–1966) Historical
Style
Nickname nameShort formVintage revival
Why parents choose it
Parents choose Lenny for an easygoing, retro nickname feel that works as a full name.
Worth knowing
- Some will hear it as short for Leonard and ask; the Lennie spelling points to Steinbeck's character.
