"story to be read, remarkable person"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Legend
Pronunciation: [ l-EHJ-uhnd ]
Does Legend flow with your last name?
An aspirational name for a child destined for greatness
American
Bold
Strong
Modern
Unique
Royal
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
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Things to Know About This Name
- High expectations implicit in the name may feel like pressure on the child
The Story of Legend
Legend comes from the Medieval Latin 'legenda,' meaning 'that which ought to be read,' originally referring to accounts of saints' lives. In Middle English it evolved to mean any traditional story, and in modern usage describes both a famous story and a person of extraordinary achievement. As a given name it is entirely a 21st-century American phenomenon.
Legend entered the US boys' top 200 after Chrissy Teigen and John Legend named their son Legend in 2018, bringing national attention to the name as a given name. It was already in use but the celebrity endorsement accelerated its adoption significantly.
The name taps into the aspirational naming trend — names that are positive affirmations of the child's potential destiny. It pairs well with the cultural colloquial use of 'legend' to mean someone extraordinary. John Legend's own stage name was given to him by a friend who felt his music sounded legendary.
Historical Record
Legend first appeared in US Social Security records in 1993.
Over 23,909 babies have been named Legend in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Legend is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #157 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Legend entered the US top 200 boys' names in 2019 following Chrissy Teigen and John Legend naming their son Legend in 2018
- John Legend's stage name was given to him by a friend who felt his music echoed classic soul recordings — making it a name with legendary origins
- The word 'legend' traces back to Medieval Latin 'legenda' — things that should be read — originally used for stories of saints
Legend in Other Languages
French
Légende
German
Legende
Italian
Leggenda
Spanish
Leyenda
Japanese
レジェンド
Popularity Over Time
#157
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Legend
L
Legend Stephens
Other
2018
Son of singer John Legend and TV personality Chrissy Teigen, whose naming helped popularize the name
J
John Legend
Musician
1978
Grammy and Oscar-winning American singer-songwriter, born John Roger Stephens, known for All of Me and his EGOT status
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Compare Legend with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #157
- Total SSA Count
- 2,275
- Cultural Origins
- American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Lege
Leggy
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Legend
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Legend is also used as a girl name, ranked #4297.
View Legend as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Legend
What does the name Legend mean?
"story to be read, remarkable person" (from Latin). Legend comes from the Medieval Latin 'legenda,' meaning 'that which ought to be read,' originally referring to accounts of saints' lives. In Middle English it evolved to mean any traditional story, and in modern usage describes both a famous story and a person of extraordinary achievement. As a given name it is entirely a 21st-century American phenomenon.
What is the origin of the name Legend?
Legend has Latin and American origins. In Latin, it means "story to be read, remarkable person".
Is Legend a boy or girl name?
Legend is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #157. As a girl name, it is ranked #4297. Legend is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Legend?
Legend is pronounced l-EHJ-uhnd.
How popular is the name Legend?
Legend is currently ranked #157 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Legend?
Common nicknames for Legend include Lege and Leggy.
What are good middle names for Legend?
Popular middle name pairings include Legend James, Legend Alexander, Legend Cole, Legend Crew, Legend Gray, Legend John, and Legend Hunter.
What are good sibling names for Legend?
Names that pair well with Legend as siblings include Reign, Phoenix, Atlas, Titan, Lyric, Sage, Storm, and Brave.
How many syllables does Legend have?
Legend has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Legend a common or rare name?
Legend is a popular name, ranked #157 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Legend
Legend is a boy name with American origins . The name means "story to be read, remarkable person" in Latin .
Is Legend a boy or girl name? Legend is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #157 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #4,297. Legend is more commonly used as a boy name.
Legend is currently ranked #157 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Legend has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-EHJ-uhnd, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Legend include Lege and Leggy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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