Lester

Pronunciation: [ l-EHST-er ]

Boy Name #1,578 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

An English place-name classic due for a revival

English American

Vintage Classic Traditional Strong

Meaning & Origin

"Roman fort on the River Leir"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

"from Leicester"

Origin: Latin/Old English

Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

Considered old-fashioned in many English-speaking countries

The Story of Lester

Lester originated as a surname derived from Leicester, a city in the English Midlands. The place name comes from the Old English 'Ligora ceaster,' meaning 'Roman fort (ceaster) on the River Leir (Ligora).' The Romans established a settlement there around 50 AD. The name transitioned from place name to surname to given name during the 19th century, a pattern common to many English names.

Lester peaked in popularity in the United States in the 1910s to 1930s, part of a fashion for Anglo-Saxon surname-derived names. It has declined steadily since the 1950s and is now considered vintage, though vintage names are perpetually cycling back into fashion.

Leicester, the source of this name, is one of England's oldest cities with nearly 2,000 years of recorded history. Lester Piggott, the legendary British jockey, and Lester Young, the jazz icon, gave the name distinction in the 20th century.

Fun Facts

Leicester City FC's 2016 Premier League title is considered the greatest sporting upset in modern history
Lester Young, the jazz saxophonist, was a mentor to Billie Holiday and enormously influential on Miles Davis

Lester in Other Languages

Latin Ratae Corieltauvorum

English Leicester

Famous People Named Lester

Lester Piggott

Athlete

1935

Legendary English flat racing jockey, nine-time Epsom Derby winner

Lester Young

Musician

1909

Influential American jazz saxophonist and mentor to Billie Holiday

Lester Burnham Fictional

Other

Protagonist of the Oscar-winning film American Beauty (1999), played by Kevin Spacey

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,578
Total SSA Count: 109
Cultural Origins: English American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Les

Pairs Well With

Lester Wayne Lester Dale Lester James Lester Ray Lester Glenn Lester Harold

Sibling Names

Chester Clifford Mildred Harold Edna Vera

Also a Girl Name

Lester is also used as a girl name, ranked #38841.

View Lester as a girl name →

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Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Lester

What does the name Lester mean?

"Roman fort on the River Leir" (from Old English). "from Leicester" (from Latin/Old English). Lester originated as a surname derived from Leicester, a city in the English Midlands. The place name comes from the Old English 'Ligora ceaster,' meaning 'Roman fort (ceaster) on the River Leir (Ligora).' The Romans established a settlement there around 50 AD. The name transitioned from place name to surname to given name during the 19th century, a pattern common to many English names.

What is the origin of the name Lester?

Lester has Old English, Latin/Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "Roman fort on the River Leir". In Latin/Old English, it means "from Leicester".

Is Lester a boy or girl name?

Lester is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1578. As a girl name, it is ranked #38841. Lester is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Lester?

Lester is pronounced l-EHST-er.

How popular is the name Lester?

Lester is currently ranked #1578 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Lester?

Common nicknames for Lester include Les.

What are good middle names for Lester?

Popular middle name pairings include Lester Wayne, Lester Dale, Lester James, Lester Ray, Lester Glenn, and Lester Harold.

What are good sibling names for Lester?

Names that pair well with Lester as siblings include Chester, Clifford, Mildred, Harold, Edna, and Vera.

How many syllables does Lester have?

Lester has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Lester a common or rare name?

Lester is an uncommon name, ranked #1578 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Lester

Lester is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "Roman fort on the River Leir" in Old English .

Is Lester a boy or girl name? Lester is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,578 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #38,841. Lester is more commonly used as a boy name.

Lester is currently ranked #1,578 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

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

Common nicknames for Lester include Les. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.