Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Lennie
UnisexGermanic, English· “pet form of Leonard, brave lion”
- Meaning
- pet form of Leonard, brave lion
- Origin
- Germanic, English
- Pronunciation
- LEN-ee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,557
- US babies 2025
- 69
- Best rank
- #354 (1884)
- Peak year
- 1915
Meaning and origin of Lennie
Lennie is a Germanic and English name that is usually said to mean “pet form of Leonard, brave lion”.
Lennie is a pet form of Leonard, a Germanic name from leon, lion, and hard, brave or strong. It can also be a short form of Lenore, Eleanor or Helen for girls. The name is well known through Lennie Small, a central character in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. It is said LEN-ee, two syllables with the stress on the first. The name has a friendly, easygoing feel and works for boys and girls. Lenny is a more common spelling of the same nickname. It fits beside other vintage nickname names like Freddie and Frankie.
Other spellings with the same sound: Lenny, Leonie.
Popularity over time
Lennie has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 54 different years. Its best national rank was #354 in 1884, and the most babies received it in 1915, when 123 were named Lennie. In 2025, 69 babies were named Lennie, and it ranked #2,557 nationally. That is 590% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #793 in 1920, #1,400 in 1950, #6,562 in 1980, #14,340 in 2010, and #2,557 in 2025. Of the 4,835 US girls named Lennie since records began, 18% were born in the 1910s, its biggest decade. The 1920s come next, with 746 babies. Since 2010, 354 more have been named Lennie.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Vernie, Ocie, Myrle, Myrl, and Llewellyn.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Lennie ranked highest in Utah and Missouri.
Gender, sound and spelling
Lennie is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 78% of US babies named Lennie were girls and 22% were boys.
Lennie is usually pronounced LEN-ee, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with L and ends in “-ie”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Lenny and Leonie.
Middle names for Lennie
A few middle names that flow with Lennie: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lennie
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Lists that include Lennie
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lennie mean?
Lennie is a Germanic and English name that is usually said to mean “pet form of Leonard, brave lion”.
What is the origin of the name Lennie?
Lennie has Germanic and English roots. Lennie is a pet form of Leonard, a Germanic name from leon, lion, and hard, brave or strong.
Is Lennie a popular name?
Not especially. Lennie ranked #2,557 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Lennie a boy or girl name?
Lennie is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 78% of US babies named Lennie were girls and 22% were boys.
How do you pronounce Lennie?
Lennie is usually pronounced LEN-ee. 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