Leighann

Meaning & origin

Leighann is a modern compound name that combines the popular elements Leigh and Ann, a pattern that surged in the mid-20th century. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1956 and rose to its peak rank in 1986, when it was most widely used. Since then, its usage has been steadily declining, reflecting a broader trend away from hyphenated and compound names. The name is most strongly associated with the 1980s, a decade when it saw its greatest frequency. Though not among the most common names, Leighann has maintained a consistent presence over the decades, with a current one-in-267,878 incidence rate as of 2025.

Leighann is a modern compound name formed from Leigh and Ann. Leigh derives from the Old English 'leah,' meaning 'clearing' or 'meadow,' while Ann is the English form of Hannah, from the Hebrew 'channah' meaning 'grace' or 'favor.' The name emerged in the mid-20th century as part of the trend of combining two popular names, often to honor relatives or create a distinctive variant of established names like Leann or Leeann.