Len
Len is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Brave lion, lion-hearted, or hardy.
Origin and history
Len is a masculine given name, typically arising as a short form of Leonard or Lennard, which mean 'brave lion' or 'lion-hearted'. It has been used independently in the United States since the late 19th century, maintaining a modest but steady presence. Today, it offers a retro, minimalist alternative to longer traditional names.
Popularity in the United States
4,514 babies in the United States have been named Len since 1880. It ranks #1846 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1874.
States where it is most popular
- CA (22.1 %)
- TX (16 %)
- IL (14.8 %)
- GA (6.8 %)
- NC (5.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 91 |
| 1890-1900 | 65 |
| 1900-1910 | 87 |
| 1910-1920 | 242 |
| 1920-1930 | 314 |
| 1930-1940 | 360 |
| 1940-1950 | 560 |
| 1950-1960 | 829 |
| 1960-1970 | 896 |
| 1970-1980 | 494 |
| 1980-1990 | 208 |
| 1990-2000 | 113 |
| 2000-2010 | 94 |
| 2010-2019 | 108 |
| 2020-2029 | 53 |
Famous people named Len
- Len Cariou: Actor, Singer
- Len Dawson: Football Player, Broadcaster
- Len Wiseman: Director, Producer
Fun facts
- Len developed as a short form for Leonard, a name of Germanic origin combining words for 'lion' and 'brave'.
- Len has been recorded continuously in U.S. birth data since 1880, peaking in popularity during the mid-20th century.