Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Lenny
BoyEnglish, Germanic· “brave lion (via Leonard)”
- Meaning
- brave lion (via Leonard)
- Origin
- English, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- LEN-ee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,419
- US babies 2025
- 128
- Best rank
- #556 (1961)
- Peak year
- 1961
Meaning and origin of Lenny
Lenny is an English and Germanic name that means “brave lion (via Leonard)”.
A pet form of Leonard, Lenny comes from a Germanic name built from elements meaning 'lion' and 'brave' or 'hardy'. Composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein was widely known as Lenny. The name has a warm, friendly charm and a retro feel. Lenny can stand alone or serve as a nickname for Leonard or Lennon. Lennie is an alternative spelling. Its cheerful sound and easy spelling make it appealing to parents who like the recent revival of vintage nicknames such as Alfie, Freddie and Teddy, and it works well for boys of any age.
Other spellings with the same sound: Lennie, Leonie.
Popularity over time
Lenny first appears in US Social Security records in 1914. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 37 different years, starting in 1944. Its best national rank was #556 in 1961, the same year it reached its highest count of 199 babies. In 2025, 128 babies were named Lenny, and it ranked #1,419 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #3,676 in 1920, #998 in 1950, #914 in 1980, #1,775 in 2000, #1,229 in 2010, and #1,419 in 2025. Of the 8,299 US boys named Lenny since records began, 18% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 1,195 babies. Since 2010, 1,924 more have been named Lenny.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Art, Toney, Les, Kirt, and Chip.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Lenny ranked highest in Massachusetts, Washington, and Illinois.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #855 | 5 |
| Washington | #856 | 7 |
| Illinois | #981 | 8 |
| California | #1136 | 18 |
| Florida | #1314 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 84% of US babies named Lenny over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Lenny is usually pronounced LEN-ee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with L and ends in “-ny”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Lennie and Leonie.
Middle names for Lenny
A few middle names that flow with Lenny: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lenny
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Lists that include Lenny
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lenny mean?
Lenny is an English and Germanic name that means “brave lion (via Leonard)”.
What is the origin of the name Lenny?
Lenny has English and Germanic roots. A pet form of Leonard, Lenny comes from a Germanic name built from elements meaning 'lion' and 'brave' or 'hardy'.
Is Lenny a popular name?
Not especially. Lenny ranked #1,419 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Lenny a boy or girl name?
Lenny is mainly a boy's name. About 84% of US babies named Lenny over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Lenny?
Lenny 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