"woodland clearing, meadow"
Origin: Old English leah
Language: English
Leigh
Pronunciation: [ l-EE ]
Does Leigh flow with your last name?
A quiet English meadow name with vintage charm
English
American
Australian
Vintage
Minimalist
Classic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"place by the meadow"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
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The Story of Leigh
Leigh derives from the Old English leah meaning a woodland clearing or meadow. Originally a surname and place name element appearing in English locales like Leigh in Essex, it became a given name in the 20th century. The Leigh spelling was partly influenced by actress Vivien Leigh.
Leigh peaked as a given name in the 1960s-70s in the UK, US, and Australia. While less commonly given today as a standalone name, it remains popular as a middle name and in compound names like Leigh-Anne.
Vivien Leigh, the British actress who won Oscars for Gone with the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire, made this spelling especially fashionable in the mid-20th century.
Historical Record
Leigh first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 39,144 babies have been named Leigh in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Leigh is past its peak , currently ranked #3,426 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Vivien Leigh was born Vivian Mary Hartley and adopted the surname Leigh from her first husband
- Leigh appears in dozens of English place names including Leigh, Leighton, and Longley
Leigh in Other Languages
Welsh
Llai
French
Leigh
Scottish Gaelic
Li
Popularity Over Time
#3,426
Current Rank
Peaked 1969
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Leigh
J
Janet Leigh
Actor
1927
American actress famous for her role in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1960)
V
Vivien Leigh
Actor
1913
British actress who won Academy Awards for Gone with the Wind (1939) and A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #3,426
- Total SSA Count
- 46
- Cultural Origins
- English American Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Nicknames
Lei
Ley
Leie
Leikins
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Leigh
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Leigh is also used as a boy name, ranked #28049.
View Leigh as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Leigh
What does the name Leigh mean?
"woodland clearing, meadow" (from Old English leah). "place by the meadow" (from Old English). Leigh derives from the Old English leah meaning a woodland clearing or meadow. Originally a surname and place name element appearing in English locales like Leigh in Essex, it became a given name in the 20th century. The Leigh spelling was partly influenced by actress Vivien Leigh.
What is the origin of the name Leigh?
Leigh has Old English leah, Old English, English, American, and Australian origins. In Old English leah, it means "woodland clearing, meadow". In Old English, it means "place by the meadow".
Is Leigh a boy or girl name?
Leigh is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3426. As a boy name, it is ranked #28049. Leigh is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Leigh?
Leigh is pronounced l-EE.
How popular is the name Leigh?
Leigh is currently ranked #3426 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Leigh?
Common nicknames for Leigh include Lei, Ley, Leie, and Leikins.
What are good middle names for Leigh?
Popular middle name pairings include Leigh Anne, Leigh Marie, Leigh Elizabeth, Leigh Rose, Leigh Catherine, Leigh Frances, and Leigh Ann.
What are good sibling names for Leigh?
Names that pair well with Leigh as siblings include Brett, Kyle, Dawn, Glen, Brooke, and Blair.
How many syllables does Leigh have?
Leigh has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Leigh a common or rare name?
Leigh is an uncommon name, ranked #3426 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Leigh?
About the Name Leigh
Leigh is a girl name with English, American, and Australian origins . The name means "woodland clearing, meadow" in Old English leah .
Is Leigh a boy or girl name? Leigh is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,426 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #28,049. Leigh is more commonly used as a girl name.
Leigh is currently ranked #3,426 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Leigh has 1 syllable and is pronounced l-EE, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Leigh include Lei, Ley, Leie, and Leikins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Leigh include Leighton, Leigha . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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