Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Legend
BoyEnglish, American (modern coinage)· “legend”
- Meaning
- legend
- Origin
- English, American (modern coinage)
- Pronunciation
- LEJ-und
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #193
- US babies 2025
- 1,862
- Best rank
- #118 (2021)
- Peak year
- 2021
Meaning and origin of Legend
Legend is an English and American (modern coinage) name that means “legend”.
Legend is taken directly from the English word for a traditional story about heroic figures or remarkable events. The word comes through Old French from the Latin legenda, meaning "things to be read," originally used for the lives of saints read aloud in church. As a given name Legend is a recent American choice, part of a trend for bold word names that express hopes and ambitions, much like King or Messiah. It has a confident, dramatic sound and is easy to spell. Some parents may also connect it with the singer John Legend, who uses it as a stage name.
Popularity over time
Legend first appears in US Social Security records in 1993. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 16 different years, starting in 2010. Its best national rank was #118 in 2021, the same year it reached its highest count of 3,186 babies. In 2025, 1,862 babies were named Legend, and it ranked #193 nationally. That is 128% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #2,959 in 2000, #942 in 2010, and #193 in 2025. Of the 25,805 US boys named Legend since records began, 60% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 9,278 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Milo, Kingston, Emmett, Rhett, and Elliot.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Legend ranked highest in Mississippi, Louisiana, and District of Columbia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | #46 | 46 |
| Louisiana | #59 | 67 |
| District of Columbia | #70 | 12 |
| Hawaii | #74 | 12 |
| Georgia | #80 | 136 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 97% of US babies named Legend over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Legend is usually pronounced LEJ-und, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with L and ends in “-nd”.
Middle names for Legend
A few middle names that flow with Legend: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Legend
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Lists that include Legend
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Legend mean?
Legend is an English and American (modern coinage) name that means “legend”.
What is the origin of the name Legend?
Legend has English and modern American roots. Legend is taken directly from the English word for a traditional story about heroic figures or remarkable events.
Is Legend a popular name?
Yes. Legend ranked #193 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Legend a boy or girl name?
Legend is mainly a boy's name. About 97% of US babies named Legend over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Legend?
Legend is usually pronounced LEJ-und. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings