Leland
Leland is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Fallow land, unplowed meadow, or land left untilled.
Origin and history
Leland is an English name originally derived from a surname meaning fallow land or meadowland. It has been steadily used as a given name in the United States since at least the late 19th century. Today, it remains a well-established classical choice with a soft, natural cadence.
Popularity in the United States
57,999 babies in the United States have been named Leland since 1880. It ranks #458 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #488.
States where it is most popular
- CA (10 %)
- TX (5.7 %)
- IL (4.8 %)
- NY (4.8 %)
- OH (4.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 202 |
| 1890-1900 | 539 |
| 1900-1910 | 765 |
| 1910-1920 | 4,381 |
| 1920-1930 | 8,022 |
| 1930-1940 | 6,277 |
| 1940-1950 | 6,261 |
| 1950-1960 | 5,256 |
| 1960-1970 | 3,528 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,284 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,103 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,884 |
| 2000-2010 | 4,540 |
| 2010-2019 | 8,266 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,691 |
Famous people named Leland
- Leland Stanford: Industrialist, Politician
- Leland Sklar: Musician, Bassist
- Leland Melvin: Astronaut, Engineer
Nicknames
Lee
Fun facts
- The name stems from Old English words describing open, unplowed fields.
- Leland Stanford, a railroad tycoon and governor, co-founded Stanford University in memory of his son.