A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Leander since 1880
Babies named Leander per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2025, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Leander's real moment was 1882.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 168 |
| 1890s | 121 |
| 1900s | 135 |
| 1910s | 583 |
| 1920s | 800 |
| 1930s | 528 |
| 1940s | 479 |
| 1950s | 603 |
| 1960s | 576 |
| 1970s | 487 |
| 1980s | 409 |
| 1990s | 337 |
| 2000s | 406 |
| 2010s | 671 |
| 2020s | 625 |
Meaning & origin
Leander is a name with classical roots, drawn from Greek mythology. It held its highest rank in 1882, peaking at a much higher popularity than its current standing. After a long period of rarity, the name has been rising again since 1999, reflecting renewed interest in vintage mythological names. In the 1880s, Leander was most common in the northeastern states of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Its revival mirrors other Greek-derived names that blend literary tradition with a distinctive sound.
Leander derives from the Greek Λέανδρος (Leandros), composed of λέων (leon) 'lion' and ἀνήρ (aner) 'man'. In Greek mythology, Leander was a youth from Abydos who swam the Hellespont nightly to visit his lover Hero. The name was revived in the English-speaking world in the 19th century, partly through literary references.
Where Leander is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Leander” around the world
Where Leander lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lee, Andy, Ander
Sibling names for Leander
Names that share Leander's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Lydia, Cora, Iris, Vera, Selene, Aleta, Drucilla, Kassandra, Leandra, Leatrice, Celestia, Clorinda, Daphine, Idalia, Lavonia, Louvenia, Nereida, Neysa, Zenaida, Alandria, Aldora, Alinda, Anaid, Calypso, Capitola, Equilla, Iantha, Juanice, Kallista, Lavena, Ledora, Leocadia, Lequita, Lethia, Levada, Lysandra, Medora, Princella, Savilla, Sylvania, Titania, Adelisa, Adonia, Almina, Ambrosia, Amelda, Apolonia, Castella, Charmion, Elanora, Elinda, Eustolia, Florabelle, Forestine, Genella, Gustavia, Haidee, Lanore, Leandria, Leathia, Letoya, Livier, Lorilei, Louretta, Louvinia, Luvinia, Macaria, Madora, Narcissa, Parthenia, Telitha, Theodosia, Ulyssa, Yvaine, Alonia, Armina, Athenia, Avella, Berenis, Callisto, Cressida, Genevra, Hazelene, Hermenia, Idonia, Ilithyia, Kyrene, Laurelin, Lavene, Leomia, Lucilia, Merlina, Minola, Parthena, Philena, Seleta, Syvilla, Veleda, Vineta, Zephyra, Zilphia
Brothers: Julian, Felix, Silas, Amos, Linus, Arion, Edric, Alastor, Ariston, Cleotha, Dupree, Lamoine, Lysander, Seaborn, Aristides, Corydon, Kaspian, Levander, Oreste, Philander, Trueman, Tyreon, Ulysees, Ulyses, Xavius, Adorian, Durant, Orlander, Orlandus
