Declining since 1985, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Lenard since 1880
Babies named Lenard per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1925, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lenard's real moment was 1907.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 100 |
| 1890s | 118 |
| 1900s | 213 |
| 1910s | 952 |
| 1920s | 1,938 |
| 1930s | 1,420 |
| 1940s | 1,224 |
| 1950s | 1,206 |
| 1960s | 938 |
| 1970s | 663 |
| 1980s | 542 |
| 1990s | 319 |
| 2000s | 186 |
| 2010s | 133 |
| 2020s | 45 |
Meaning & origin
Lenard is a variant of Leonard, a classic Germanic name meaning 'brave lion.' It was most popular in the early 20th century, peaking at rank 1,200 in 1907. Since 1985, its usage has been in decline. In the most recent year, 2024, the name ranked 12,008th, with only 1 in 341,615 boys receiving the name. The name has never been strongly associated with any particular U.S. state. Lenard is a more streamlined spelling of the traditional Leonard, offering a slightly distinctive yet familiar choice. While it lacks the widespread popularity of its longer form, it retains the same strong meaning and historical depth.
Lenard is a variant of Leonard, derived from the Old High German name Leonhard, composed of the elements leo (lion) and hardu (brave, hardy). The name spread throughout Europe via the veneration of Saint Leonard, a 6th-century Frankish nobleman and hermit who became the patron saint of prisoners. It has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages, though the Lenard spelling is less common.
Where Lenard 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: Len, Lennie
Sibling names for Lenard
Names that share Lenard's style, for a brother or sister.
