Leigh

English
"fern clearing"
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Leigh Origin and Meaning

The name Leigh is a boy's name.

Leigh as a masculine name has Anglo-Saxon origins, derived from the Old English 'leah' meaning 'clearing' or 'meadow.' While Leigh has become increasingly popular as a feminine name in recent decades, it has a long history of masculine usage, particularly in England and English-speaking countries. The name has served as both a given name and surname for centuries, with notable male bearers including actors and athletes. The spelling 'Leigh' (versus 'Lee') gives the name a more traditional English appearance while maintaining the same simple, strong pronunciation. As a male name, Leigh conveys a sense of natural strength and subtle masculinity, appealing to parents seeking a name with historical roots but a contemporary unisex appeal.

# 951 in the US

Leigh Rank in US Top 1000

020040060080010001940195019601971
# 2792 on Nameberry

Leigh Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

0200400600800100020122013

20 Names Similar to Leigh

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Lists containing the name Leigh

    Famous People Named Leigh

    • (James Henry) Leigh Hunt
      English critic and author
    • Leigh Joseph McCloskey
      American actor
    • (Allan) Leigh Lawson
      English actor
    • Leigh Raymond Matthews
      Australian rules footballer and coach
    • Leigh Adrian Harline
      American film composer
    • (Stephen) Leigh Halfpenny
      Welsh rugby union player
    • Leigh Szaak Francis
      English comedian
    • Leigh Daniel Avidan
      known as Danny Sexbang, American singer and comedian
    • Leigh Griffiths
      Scottish professional footballer

    The name Leigh in Pop Culture

    • Leigh Botts
      main character in "Dear Mr. Henshaw" by Beverly Cleary
    • Leigh Teabing
      character in Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code"
    • Leigh Stansfield
      main character in G. A. Henty's, No Surrender