"meadow land"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Leland
Pronunciation: [ l-EEL-uhnd ]
Does Leland flow with your last name?
A rugged English land name with old-money charm
English
American
Scandinavian
Vintage
Earthy
Strong
Classic
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Leland
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Leland
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"fallow land, uncultivated land"
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Leland
See all →What the Leland report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Leland the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Leland
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Leland head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Leland actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Leland
Leland is an Old English surname-turned-given-name derived from 'leah' (meadow, woodland clearing) and 'land' (land), literally meaning 'meadow land' or 'one who lives near the fallow land.' It originated as a topographic surname in medieval England, describing people who lived near open fields. The antiquarian John Leland (1506–1552), librarian to King Henry VIII, is among the earliest notable bearers.
Leland has experienced a quiet revival in the 2010s–2020s as parents seek distinguished vintage names with a Western feel. Country music and the rise of Americana aesthetics have boosted its appeal alongside names like Wyatt and Grady.
Leland is distinctly Anglo-American, evoking images of frontier landscapes and old-money family surnames. Stanford University's founder Leland Stanford gave the name additional prestige in American culture.
Historical Record
Leland first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 30,927 babies have been named Leland in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Leland is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #548 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Leland Stanford founded Stanford University and served as California's governor
- The name was a top-200 name in the US in the 1910s–1920s before declining
- Leland Gaunt is the mysterious antagonist in Stephen King's novel 'Needful Things'
Leland in Other Languages
French
Leland
German
Leland
Spanish
Leland
Japanese
リーランド
Popularity Over Time
#548
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Leland
L
Leland Sklar
Musician
1947
American session bassist who played on thousands of recordings for artists like James Taylor and Phil Collins
L
Leland Stanford
Business
1824
American industrialist, railroad magnate, and founder of Stanford University
L
Leland Gaunt Fictional
Other
Mysterious antagonist in Stephen King's 1991 novel 'Needful Things'
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Zakai
Boy
"pure, innocent, righteous"
#603
Finnley
Boy
"fair-haired one"
#716
Westin
Boy
"from the western settlement"
#727
Flynn
Boy
"descendant of Flann (ruddy, red)"
#738
Chandler
Boy
"candle maker or seller"
#739
Compare Leland with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #548
- Total SSA Count
- 540
- Cultural Origins
- English American Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Lee
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Leland
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Leland fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Leland is also used as a girl name, ranked #6572.
View Leland as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Leland →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Leland with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Leland
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Leland and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Leland sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Zakai
Boy
Hebrew origin
"pure, innocent, righteous"
#603 in US
Finnley
Boy
Old Irish fionn origin
"fair-haired one"
#716 in US
Westin
Boy
Old English origin
"from the western settlement"
#727 in US
Flynn
Boy
Old Irish origin
"descendant of Flann (ruddy, red)"
#738 in US
Chandler
Boy
Old French origin
"candle maker or seller"
#739 in US
Jaiden
Boy
Hebrew origin
"thankful, grateful"
#564 in US
Dax
Boy
French place name origin
"from the city of Dax"
#640 in US
Oakley
Boy
Anglo-Saxon origin
"clearing among oaks"
#411 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Leland's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leland
What does the name Leland mean?
"meadow land" (from Old English). "fallow land, uncultivated land" (from Anglo-Saxon). Leland is an Old English surname-turned-given-name derived from 'leah' (meadow, woodland clearing) and 'land' (land), literally meaning 'meadow land' or 'one who lives near the fallow land.' It originated as a topographic surname in medieval England, describing people who lived near open fields. The antiquarian John Leland (1506–1552), librarian to King Henry VIII, is among the earliest notable bearers.
What is the origin of the name Leland?
Leland has Old English, Anglo-Saxon, English, American, and Scandinavian origins. In Old English, it means "meadow land". In Anglo-Saxon, it means "fallow land, uncultivated land".
Is Leland a boy or girl name?
Leland is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #548. As a girl name, it is ranked #6572. Leland is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Leland?
Leland is pronounced l-EEL-uhnd.
How popular is the name Leland?
Leland is currently ranked #548 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Leland?
Common nicknames for Leland include Lee.
What are good middle names for Leland?
Popular middle name pairings include Leland James, Leland Cole, Leland Grant, Leland Ray, Leland Thomas, Leland Scott, and Leland Reed.
What are good sibling names for Leland?
Names that pair well with Leland as siblings include Wyatt, Barrett, Grady, Magnolia, Hazel, Clara, and Beckett.
How many syllables does Leland have?
Leland has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Leland a common or rare name?
Leland is moderately common, ranked #548 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Leland
Leland is a boy name with English, American, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "meadow land" in Old English .
Is Leland a boy or girl name? Leland is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #548 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #6,572. Leland is more commonly used as a boy name.
Leland is currently ranked #548 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Leland has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-EEL-uhnd, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Leland include Lee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Old English Names
Browse all names with this origin
L
Names Starting with L
More boy names like Leland
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis