Declining since 2011, #494 for boys today.
Popularity of Leland since 1880
Babies named Leland per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2007, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Leland's real moment was 1921.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 202 |
| 1890s | 539 |
| 1900s | 765 |
| 1910s | 4,381 |
| 1920s | 8,022 |
| 1930s | 6,277 |
| 1940s | 6,261 |
| 1950s | 5,256 |
| 1960s | 3,528 |
| 1970s | 2,284 |
| 1980s | 2,103 |
| 1990s | 1,884 |
| 2000s | 4,540 |
| 2010s | 8,266 |
| 2020s | 3,691 |
Meaning & origin
Leland is a classic surname-turned-first-name that enjoyed its heyday in the early 20th century. First recorded in U.S. data in 1880, it reached its peak rank in 1921, reflecting the popularity of surnames as given names during that era. Since 2011, its trajectory has been falling, and in 2025 the name sits at rank 494 with approximately 1 in 2,791 boys receiving the name. It remains most common in Alaska, West Virginia, and Michigan. While no longer a top choice, Leland retains a sturdy, vintage appeal that fits well with other revived surname names.
Leland is generally considered a transferred use of an English surname. The surname itself likely derives from Old English lǣge 'fallow' or lēah 'wood, clearing' plus land 'land'. The name was sometimes used in honor of the American poet and humorist Leland Stanford (1824-1893). It gained modest popularity in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Where Leland 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lee, Lel
Sibling names for Leland
Names that share Leland's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Mabel, Lois, Pearl, Hazel, Mildred, Leatrice, Ardella, Delinda, Loralee, Loran, Louanna, Sinclair, Starlene, Waneta, Diania, Everlean, Fayette, Ladean, Larayne, Lenda, Lenetta, Lynnetta, Merilee, Velinda, Avonell, Ellaree, Ivadell, Junetta, Ladene, Laelia, Leathia, Lenice, Luree, Lurine, Merinda, Vaneta, Verlia, Adine, Cenia, Doranne, Dorlisa, Glendia, Lagena, Laneta, Lendora, Lorece, Lowana, Luwanda, Orella, Ranette, Royanne, Wanona
Brothers: Clyde, Earl, Lloyd, Virgil, Chester, Dedrick, Durwood, Glenwood, Stafford, Astor, Delford, Leandrew, Lelon, Orien, Aldrick, Arwin, Chilton, Delmore, Glendal, Jaris, Layman, Wilmont, Burnham, Granvel, Ledell, Lemoine, Lynard, Rosser, Stillman
Names like Leland
Names whose popularity has moved with Leland's over the last 50 years.
