Leigh
Leigh: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /liː/ · /laɪ/
Meaning and origin of Leigh
Root meaning: “wood, meadow”
- A unisex given name transferred from the surname.
- A female given name, Female equivalent of Lee.
Etymology
From the nominative case of Old English lēah (“wood, meadow”), 'dweller by the wood or clearing'.
How popular is Leigh?
Since 1880, 40,242 girls and 5,107 boys in the U.S. have been named Leigh (89% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #201 in 1969. Its highest rank for boys was #655 in 1955. In 2025, 31 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Leigh
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Surname unisex names
Sibling name ideas for Leigh
Sister and brother names that share Leigh's Surname roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Leigh FAQ
What does the name Leigh mean?
Leigh traces back to a root meaning "wood, meadow". A unisex given name transferred from the surname. A female given name, Female equivalent of Lee. From the nominative case of Old English lēah (“wood, meadow”), 'dweller by the wood or clearing'.
What is the origin of the name Leigh?
Leigh is listed as a name of Surname (transferred from a surname) origin.
How popular is the name Leigh?
Since 1880, 40,242 girls and 5,107 boys in the U.S. have been named Leigh (89% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #201 in 1969. Its highest rank for boys was #655 in 1955. In 2025, 31 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Leigh a boy or girl name?
Leigh is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (40,242 girls and 5,107 boys since 1880).
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.