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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Leni — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Lenea|Leniel
English◈ Unisex · 48% boy · 52% girl↓ Declining

◈= unisex (gender-neutral)

Leni

◈

LAY-nee · 2 syllables

Share Leni:
Compare with another name
Girl
#1243
↓ Declining
Girl
#1243
Popularity score: 28
↓ Declining
Peak
#1197 in 2023
5yr
-46 ranks
Velocity
-46
Birth frequency
5.2 per 100,000 births
Boy

Outside top 1000

Last ranked #10335 in 2023

Peak: #10335 in 2023

→ Stable
5yr
—
Velocity
—
Birth frequency
1.9 per 1,000,000 births

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

BOY
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20192023

Rank #10335 · Rising since 2019

This name is given to very few babies each year — it sits outside the range shown in these charts.

GIRL
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #1243 · Rising since 2020

All US girl names
Top 200 girl names
English girl names
Leni

Popularity score: 28  ·  SSA Rank: #1243

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
28
Higher than 28% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
↓ Declining
-46 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Limited
.com taken · — · clear
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
80
3 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class
Name DNA
GermanDiminutiveVintageModernUnisex2-syllableShortLightBrightSoft
Character
creative spiritgentle kindnessquiet strengthartistic soulthoughtful nature
People with this name

Qualities shared by notable Lenis

ambitiouspoisedfashion-forwardgracefuldetermined
STRONG
High confidence

Leni is an English unisex name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #1243 in the US in 2024.

Trend:↓ Declining · -46 ranks
Feasibility:.com taken · — · clear
Popularity:#1243 · rare
Leni at a Glance
Meaning:Short form of Magdalene or Helene. May derive from Greek 'Helene' (torch, bright) or represent a diminutive form popular in Germanic cultures.
Language root:German · Hebrew
Peak rank:#1197 in 2023
5yr change:-46 ranks
Sex usage:Girl #1243 · Boy #—
Notable bearers
Leni Riefenstahl
German filmmaker and photographer (1902–2003)
Leni Klum
American model and television personality, daughter of Heidi Klum
Similar Sound
LenaLeahLeiaLinaLoni
Similar Style
Mila◈NoraIvyWren◈Hazel◈Stella
Works Well With
Sibling names that pair naturally with Leni
Mila◈NoraIvyWren◈Rowan◈Finn◈Kai◈Atlas◈
You Might Also Like
Mila◈
Slavic · #33
→ Stable
Nora
Irish · #22
→ Stable
Ivy
English · #36
→ Stable
Wren◈
Celtic · #213
→ Stable
Hazel◈
English · #19
→ Stable
Stella
Latin · #49
→ Stable
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Leni illustration
Name Intelligence
Leni · Overview
Summary

Leni is an English unisex name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #1243 in the US in 2024.

Search interest: 1/100 → Stable

Strengths
Works for any sex
48% boy · 52% girl. A genuinely unisex name is rare at this level of distinctiveness.
Modern · Vintage character
Leni carries a soft, gentle, cool quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Popularity declining
Rank has dropped 46 positions in the last year. Consider whether this trajectory matters for your decision.
Domain taken
leni.com is not available. Alternative TLDs may work.
Explore

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Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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