Leigh
Leigh is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Meadow, pasture, or forest clearing.
Origin and history
Leigh is derived from an Old English surname and place name referring to a meadow or clearing. Historically used for both boys and girls, it is now less common for males in the United States. It remains a classic, gentle name with deep Anglo-Saxon roots.
Popularity in the United States
5,107 babies in the United States have been named Leigh since 1880. It ranks #1710 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1905.
States where it is most popular
- NY (35.9 %)
- CA (16.1 %)
- PA (8.3 %)
- MA (6.6 %)
- NJ (5.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 33 |
| 1890-1900 | 50 |
| 1900-1910 | 16 |
| 1910-1920 | 221 |
| 1920-1930 | 371 |
| 1930-1940 | 410 |
| 1940-1950 | 799 |
| 1950-1960 | 943 |
| 1960-1970 | 768 |
| 1970-1980 | 600 |
| 1980-1990 | 591 |
| 1990-2000 | 171 |
| 2000-2010 | 69 |
| 2010-2019 | 43 |
| 2020-2029 | 22 |
Famous people named Leigh
- Leigh Brackett: Author, Screenwriter
- Leigh Lawson: Actor, Director
Fun facts
- The name stems from the Old English word 'leah', which originally described a woodland clearing or open meadow.
- While Leigh is currently more common for females in the U.S., it has a long history of use for males both as a given name and a middle name.