Leander
Leander is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Lion-man or brave man.
Origin and history
Leander is derived from the Ancient Greek name Leandros, composed of elements meaning 'lion' and 'man'. In Greek mythology, Leander is famous for swimming across the Hellespont to visit his beloved Hero. The name remains a classic yet distinctive choice in the U.S., experiencing modest and stable usage.
Popularity in the United States
6,928 babies in the United States have been named Leander since 1880. It ranks #1447 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1330.
States where it is most popular
- NC (13.7 %)
- MN (12.6 %)
- AZ (9.7 %)
- CA (8.9 %)
- NY (7.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 168 |
| 1890-1900 | 121 |
| 1900-1910 | 135 |
| 1910-1920 | 583 |
| 1920-1930 | 800 |
| 1930-1940 | 528 |
| 1940-1950 | 479 |
| 1950-1960 | 603 |
| 1960-1970 | 576 |
| 1970-1980 | 487 |
| 1980-1990 | 409 |
| 1990-2000 | 337 |
| 2000-2010 | 406 |
| 2010-2019 | 671 |
| 2020-2029 | 625 |
Famous people named Leander
- Leander Paes: Tennis Player, Athlete
- Leander Starr Jameson: Politician, Physician
Nicknames
Leo, Lee, Anders
Fun facts
- In classical myth, Leander swam across the Hellespont every night guided by a torch lit by his lover, Hero.
- Saint Leander of Seville was instrumental in converting the Visigoths from Arianism to Nicene Christianity.