"from the meadow land"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Leland
Pronunciation: [ l-EEL-uhnd ]
Does Leland flow with your last name?
An Old English meadow name crossing to girls with quiet cool
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Meaning & Origin
"lea land, grassy clearing"
Origin: Old English leah + land
Language: English
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The Story of Leland
Leland is an Old English surname derived from lea land or meadow land, combining leah (meadow, clearing) and land. It was historically a place name and surname in England before crossing the Atlantic where it became a masculine given name. Its use as a girls name is a modern American trend of crossing traditionally masculine place-surname names to girls, following the success of names like Emerson, Avery, and Elliot.
Leland has traditionally been used as a masculine given name in the US, ranking in the top 200 in the early 20th century. Its emergence as a girls name is recent, driven by the gender-neutral name trend. It remains uncommon for either gender today.
Leland Stanford (1824-1893), co-founder of Stanford University, is the name's most famous bearer, giving it an association with academic legacy and philanthropy in American culture.
Historical Record
Leland first appeared in US Social Security records in 1955.
Over 348 babies have been named Leland in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Leland is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #6,572 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Leland Stanford co-founded Stanford University in 1885, named after his son Leland Jr.
- The name combines two Old English words: leah (meadow) and land
Leland in Other Languages
French
Leland
German
Leland
English
Leland
Spanish
Leland
Japanese
Rirando
Popularity Over Time
#6,572
Current Rank
Rare
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Leland with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #6,572
- Total SSA Count
- 18
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Lee
Lele
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Leland
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Leland is also used as a boy name, ranked #548.
View Leland as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Chinese origin
"tortoise, ancient clan"
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Hawaiian ala (road) origin
"the road, the passage"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Leland
What does the name Leland mean?
"from the meadow land" (from Old English). "lea land, grassy clearing" (from Old English leah + land). Leland is an Old English surname derived from lea land or meadow land, combining leah (meadow, clearing) and land. It was historically a place name and surname in England before crossing the Atlantic where it became a masculine given name. Its use as a girls name is a modern American trend of crossing traditionally masculine place-surname names to girls, following the success of names like Emerson, Avery, and Elliot.
What is the origin of the name Leland?
Leland has Old English, Old English leah + land, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "from the meadow land". In Old English leah + land, it means "lea land, grassy clearing".
Is Leland a boy or girl name?
Leland is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #6572. As a boy name, it is ranked #548. 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 #6572 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Leland?
Common nicknames for Leland include Lee and Lele.
What are good middle names for Leland?
Popular middle name pairings include Leland Grace, Leland Mae, Leland Rose, Leland Jean, Leland Ann, and Leland Claire.
What are good sibling names for Leland?
Names that pair well with Leland as siblings include Harlow, Quinn, Emerson, Sutton, Beckett, and Hadley.
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 an uncommon name, ranked #6572 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Leland?
About the Name Leland
Leland is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "from the meadow land" in Old English .
Is Leland a boy or girl name? Leland is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #6,572 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #548. Leland is more commonly used as a boy name.
Leland is currently ranked #6,572 in popularity for girl 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 and Lele. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Leland include Lela, Lelani . 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