A 1960s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Lenny since 1914
Babies named Lenny per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 13 |
| 1920s | 0 | 41 |
| 1930s | 0 | 111 |
| 1940s | 48 | 511 |
| 1950s | 55 | 994 |
| 1960s | 44 | 1,514 |
| 1970s | 52 | 1,192 |
| 1980s | 18 | 665 |
| 1990s | 56 | 495 |
| 2000s | 60 | 839 |
| 2010s | 124 | 1,195 |
| 2020s | 279 | 729 |
Meaning & origin
Lenny is a friendly, approachable nickname-turned-given name that has seen varied popularity over the decades. First recorded in U.S. data in 1914, Lenny reached its peak rank of 1418 in 1961, the year it was most commonly chosen. After a long decline, the name has been rising again since 1996, reflecting a broader revival of vintage nicknames. In 2025, Lenny was given to roughly 1 in 13,344 boys, making it an uncommon but recognizable choice. The name is most popular in Washington, Massachusetts, and Illinois, suggesting regional appeal. As a short form of Leonard, Lenny carries the meaning of 'brave lion', though it stands on its own as a casual and modern option.
Lenny originated as a diminutive of Leonard, which comes from the Old High German Leonhard, composed of leo 'lion' and hart 'brave, hardy'. The name was brought to England by the Normans and became common in the Middle Ages. Lenny emerged as an independent given name in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in the United States and England.
Where Lenny 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.
“Lenny” around the world
Where Lenny lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#96
in 2024
Ireland
21
babies in 2025
New Zealand
10
babies in 2025
Quebec
21
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Len
Variants: Lennie
Sibling names for Lenny
Names that share Lenny's style, for a brother or sister.
