Legend

Pronunciation: [ l-EHJ-uhnd ]

Boy Name #157 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

An aspirational name for a child destined for greatness

American

Bold Strong Modern Unique Royal

Meaning & Origin

"story to be read, remarkable person"

Origin: Latin

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Legend

Legend Stephens

Other

2018

Son of singer John Legend and TV personality Chrissy Teigen, whose naming helped popularize the name

John Legend

Musician

1978

Grammy and Oscar-winning American singer-songwriter, born John Roger Stephens, known for All of Me and his EGOT status

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

Common Nicknames

Lege Leggy

Pairs Well With

Legend James Legend Alexander Legend Cole Legend Crew Legend Gray Legend John Legend Hunter

Sibling Names

Reign Phoenix Atlas Titan Lyric Sage Storm Brave

Also a Girl Name

Legend is also used as a girl name, ranked #4297.

View Legend as a girl name →

Similar Names

Hagan Locke Ledger Regan Lachlan Reagan Raegan Keegan

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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.