A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Leroy since 1880
Babies named Leroy per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1924, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Leroy's real moment was 1910.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 1,574 |
| 1890s | 2,544 |
| 1900s | 4,300 |
| 1910s | 21,275 |
| 1920s | 37,871 |
| 1930s | 36,255 |
| 1940s | 33,864 |
| 1950s | 24,588 |
| 1960s | 15,220 |
| 1970s | 8,408 |
| 1980s | 5,600 |
| 1990s | 3,554 |
| 2000s | 2,159 |
| 2010s | 2,173 |
| 2020s | 1,596 |
Meaning & origin
Leroy is a name with French roots meaning "the king," originally a nickname that became a given name. Its peak popularity was in 1910, when it ranked among the top names for boys. After a long decline, it has been rising again since 2006. As of 2025, it ranks 883, with 1 in every 6,350 newborns named Leroy. Historically popular in Minnesota, Idaho, and Iowa, the name carries a regal yet approachable quality.
Leroy derives from the Old French phrase "le roi," meaning "the king." It was originally used as a nickname for someone who behaved in a kingly manner or who played the role of a king in a pageant. The name became established as a given name in the English-speaking world by the 19th century.
Where Leroy 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.
“Leroy” around the world
Where Leroy lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lee, Roy
Sibling names for Leroy
Names that share Leroy's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Marie, Florence, Edith, Alice, Mabel, Deloise, Earlene, Marilee, Myrna, Lanelle, Lavonna, Lemon, Merlene, Renay, Vernetta, Arnetha, Charletta, Charmane, Cherese, Darnella, Deatrice, Deloria, Doralee, Dorena, Ebbie, Genese, Harlene, Jerline, Lajean, Lajune, Lelar, Mardelle, Onalee, Pecolia, Ronette, Sherese, Towana, Willamae, Zondra, Almarie, Almyra, Arlethia, Charlane, Cleota, Conswella, Darcelle, Darleny, Delecia, Derotha, Doylene, Estelene, Jodeen, Junell, Laretha, Lavita, Levette, Luree, Lurine, Mardee, Marvetta, Rejeana, Roxine, Roylene, Valory, Wannetta, Ylonda, Yolander, Yolunda, Yvonda, Berlene, Aronda, Darcella, Deletha, Imajean, Ivalene, Jenese, Lanett, Leslyn, Lorece, Lorrene, Rocquel, Royann, Royetta, Scharlene, Shirlena, Ulonda, Vanette, Verlinda, Wanell
Brothers: Roy, Earl, Clarence, Raymond, Ernest, Clyde, Dewey, Walter, Delvin, Lavon, Leron, Russ, Delroy, Duwayne, Jonell, Lavell, Lavelle, Pernell, Waymon, Daymond, Derral, Derrel, Dewain, Dujuan, Izell, Kenard, Laray, Lelon, Leotis, Lerone, Rodell, Shadrick, Darvell, Deroy, Ferlin, Lavoris, Lealon, Levell, Liston, Raybon, Derrall, Jerol, Lavalle, Lemond, Leray, Levaughn, Levone, Levorn, Melroy
Names like Leroy
Names whose popularity has moved with Leroy's over the last 50 years.
