Back to Baby Names

Ledger

Pronunciation: [ l-EHJ-er ]

Boy Name #503 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

Bold, modern, effortlessly cool

American English
Modern Bold Unique Strong Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"record keeper"
Origin: Middle English
Language: English
"lying flat (large book)"
Origin: Old English
Language: Old English

Things to Know About This Name

  • Strongly and permanently associated with the late Heath Ledger, who died at age 28 — some parents may feel this is too heavy a tribute
  • Uncommon enough that people may mishear it as 'Edgar' or 'Leger'

The Story of Ledger

Ledger comes from the Middle English 'legger,' referring to a large book kept in one place for recording accounts — derived from Old English 'licgan' (to lie flat). As a surname-turned-given-name, it fits the modern trend of occupational and word names. Its use as a first name has surged since the 2000s.

Ledger began rising rapidly in the early 2020s, fueled by the surname-as-first-name trend and a desire for edgy, unconventional boy names with strong consonants.

In English-speaking culture, Ledger is almost exclusively associated with the late actor Heath Ledger, making it a loaded but meaningful tribute name.

Fun Facts

  • The first known use of 'ledger' as an accounting book dates to the 15th century.
  • Ledger entered the US top 1000 for the first time in 2021.
  • Heath Ledger's Academy Award-winning Joker role (2008) cemented his legendary status.

Ledger in Other Languages

French Ledger
German Ledger
Spanish Ledger

Famous People Named Ledger

H

Heath Ledger

Actor

1979

Australian actor, posthumous Oscar winner for The Dark Knight's Joker

L

Ledger Hawthorne Fictional

Other

Fictional character gaining use as a namesake inspiration

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#503
Total SSA Count
606
Cultural Origins
American English
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease
Low

Common Nicknames

Ledge Lee

Pairs Well With

Ledger James Ledger Cole Ledger River Ledger Gray Ledger Reid Ledger Stone Ledger Blake

Sibling Names

Also a Girl Name

Ledger is also used as a girl name, ranked #40462.

View Ledger as a girl name →

Similar Names

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Ledger and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Ledger sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name
Browse more boy names →

Explore More Generators

Frequently Asked Questions About Ledger

What does the name Ledger mean?
"record keeper" (from Middle English). "lying flat (large book)" (from Old English). Ledger comes from the Middle English 'legger,' referring to a large book kept in one place for recording accounts — derived from Old English 'licgan' (to lie flat). As a surname-turned-given-name, it fits the modern trend of occupational and word names. Its use as a first name has surged since the 2000s.
What is the origin of the name Ledger?
Ledger has Middle English, Old English, American, and English origins. In Middle English, it means "record keeper". In Old English, it means "lying flat (large book)".
Is Ledger a boy or girl name?
Ledger is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #503. As a girl name, it is ranked #40462. Ledger is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Ledger?
Ledger is pronounced l-EHJ-er.
How popular is the name Ledger?
Ledger is currently ranked #503 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ledger?
Common nicknames for Ledger include Ledge and Lee.
What are good middle names for Ledger?
Popular middle name pairings include Ledger James, Ledger Cole, Ledger River, Ledger Gray, Ledger Reid, Ledger Stone, and Ledger Blake.
What are good sibling names for Ledger?
Names that pair well with Ledger as siblings include Archer, Fletcher, Scout, Wren, Sloane, Piper, and Brooks.
How many syllables does Ledger have?
Ledger has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ledger a common or rare name?
Ledger is moderately common, ranked #503 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Ledger

Ledger is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "record keeper" in Middle English .

Is Ledger a boy or girl name? Ledger is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #503 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #40,462. Ledger is more commonly used as a boy name.

Ledger is currently ranked #503 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Ledger has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-EHJ-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Ledger include Ledge and Lee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Explore Name Lists