Holding steady.
Popularity of Lear since 1886
Babies named Lear per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lear's real moment was 1886.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 11 | 0 |
| 1890s | 23 | 0 |
| 1900s | 68 | 0 |
| 1910s | 120 | 0 |
| 1920s | 137 | 0 |
| 1930s | 70 | 0 |
| 1940s | 39 | 0 |
| 1950s | 5 | 0 |
| 1960s | 18 | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 5 |
| 2000s | 0 | 6 |
| 2010s | 0 | 25 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Lear is an uncommon name with Shakespearean gravity. First recorded in U.S. data in 1886, it has never reached the top 1000 rankings, reflecting its enduring rarity. Its peak year remains 1886, the decade of the 1880s, after which usage dropped to negligible levels. Although similar names like Leonard and Leroy have enjoyed periods of popularity, Lear has remained a distinctive choice. Its trajectory is stable, with no significant revival. The name's primary association is with Shakespeare's tragic king, which may appeal to literary parents seeking a name with historical depth.
The name Lear is of uncertain origin. It may derive from the Old English name Leofhere, composed of leof 'dear, beloved' and here 'army'. Alternatively, it may be a short form of Leonard or related to the Welsh name Llyr. Lear is most famously associated with the legendary King Lear, a figure in British mythology later popularized by William Shakespeare's tragedy King Lear (1606). The name has seen limited but consistent use, particularly in the late 19th century.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Leer
Sibling names for Lear
Names that share Lear's style, for a brother or sister.
