"the king"
Origin: Old French
Language: French
Leroy
Pronunciation: [ l-EER-oy ]
Does Leroy flow with your last name?
The king — bold, vintage, and unapologetically American
French
African American
English
Vintage
Bold
Strong
Classic
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Leroy
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Meaning & Origin
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Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with Leeroy Jenkins, a viral World of Warcraft meme from 2005 — humorous but could lead to teasing
The Story of Leroy
Leroy comes from the Old French le roi, meaning the king — a bold assertion of royalty as a name. It likely began as a nickname for someone who acted kingly or was associated with royal service. The name traveled to England after the Norman Conquest and later found new life in America, particularly in the South and among African American communities where names with regal meanings held special significance.
Leroy peaked in the United States in the 1920s-1940s, especially in the South and among African American communities. It declined sharply after mid-century. The 2005 viral video Leeroy Jenkins gave the name new comedic associations.
Leroy has deep roots in African American naming traditions, where names with royal meanings like King, Prince, and Leroy were chosen as an assertion of dignity and pride. Blues musicians and jazz artists named Leroy helped cement the name in American musical heritage.
Historical Record
Leroy first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 63,020 babies have been named Leroy in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Leroy is past its peak , currently ranked #864 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Leroy literally translates to the king in French
- The Leeroy Jenkins meme from 2005 is one of the most famous moments in gaming internet history
Leroy in Other Languages
French
Le Roi
English
Leroy
Spanish
Leroi
Portuguese
Leroy
Popularity Over Time
#864
Current Rank
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Leroy
L
Leroy Sane
Athlete
1996
German professional footballer playing for Bayern Munich and the German national team
L
Leroy Anderson
Musician
1908
American composer known for light orchestral works including Sleigh Ride and The Typewriter
L
Leeroy Jenkins Fictional
Other
Fictional World of Warcraft character who became a viral internet meme in 2005 for recklessly charging into battle
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #864
- Total SSA Count
- 278
- Cultural Origins
- French African American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Roy
Lee
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, French 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, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Leroy
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Leroy is also used as a girl name, ranked #48909.
View Leroy as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Leroy
What does the name Leroy mean?
"the king" (from Old French). Leroy comes from the Old French le roi, meaning the king — a bold assertion of royalty as a name. It likely began as a nickname for someone who acted kingly or was associated with royal service. The name traveled to England after the Norman Conquest and later found new life in America, particularly in the South and among African American communities where names with regal meanings held special significance.
What is the origin of the name Leroy?
Leroy has Old French, French, African American, and English origins. In Old French, it means "the king".
Is Leroy a boy or girl name?
Leroy is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #864. As a girl name, it is ranked #48909. Leroy is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Leroy?
Leroy is pronounced l-EER-oy.
How popular is the name Leroy?
Leroy is currently ranked #864 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Leroy?
Common nicknames for Leroy include Roy and Lee.
What are good middle names for Leroy?
Popular middle name pairings include Leroy James, Leroy Wayne, Leroy Ray, Leroy Eugene, Leroy Dale, and Leroy Curtis.
What are good sibling names for Leroy?
Names that pair well with Leroy as siblings include Delroy, Elroy, Curtis, Eugene, Loretta, and Marlene.
How many syllables does Leroy have?
Leroy has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Leroy a common or rare name?
Leroy is moderately common, ranked #864 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Leroy
Leroy is a boy name with French, African American, and English origins . The name means "the king" in Old French .
Is Leroy a boy or girl name? Leroy is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #864 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #48,909. Leroy is more commonly used as a boy name.
Leroy is currently ranked #864 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Leroy has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-EER-oy, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Leroy include Roy and Lee. 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