Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Leroy
BoyFrench· “the king”
- Meaning
- the king
- Origin
- French
- Pronunciation
- LEE-roy
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #888
- US babies 2025
- 269
- Best rank
- #50 (1907)
- Peak year
- 1924
Meaning and origin of Leroy
Leroy is a French name that means “the king”.
From the Old French le roi, "the king," Leroy began as a nickname and surname, possibly for someone who served in a royal household or carried himself with a kingly air. It became a given name in the English-speaking world in the nineteenth century and gained a strong presence in the United States, especially in African American communities. Jim Croce's song Bad, Bad Leroy Brown gave it a swaggering pop-culture moment. The name has a confident, mid-century sound, and Lee and Roy are natural nicknames, each a classic in its own right.
Popularity over time
Leroy 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 144 different years. Its best national rank was #50 in 1907, and the most babies received it in 1924, when 3,922 were named Leroy. In 2025, 269 babies were named Leroy, and it ranked #888 nationally. That is 29% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #56 in 1920, #102 in 1950, #293 in 1980, #698 in 2000, #919 in 2010, and #888 in 2025. Of the 200,981 US boys named Leroy since records began, 19% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 36,255 babies. Since 2010, 3,769 more have been named Leroy.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Clifford, Bernard, Calvin, Wallace, and Leon.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Leroy ranked highest in Minnesota, Idaho, and Iowa.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | #383 | 15 |
| Idaho | #469 | 5 |
| Iowa | #477 | 7 |
| Missouri | #481 | 13 |
| Pennsylvania | #539 | 18 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Leroy is usually pronounced LEE-roy, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with L and ends in “-oy”.
Middle names for Leroy
A few middle names that flow with Leroy: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Leroy
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Lists that include Leroy
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Leroy mean?
Leroy is a French name that means “the king”.
What is the origin of the name Leroy?
Leroy has French roots. From the Old French le roi, "the king," Leroy began as a nickname and surname, possibly for someone who served in a royal household or carried himself with a kingly air.
Is Leroy a popular name?
Yes. Leroy ranked #888 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Leroy a boy or girl name?
Leroy is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Leroy?
Leroy is usually pronounced LEE-roy. 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