Given name & surname
Leigh
“from the meadow”
In English use, Leigh is a variant of Lee. One English interpretation is “from the meadow.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
In English use, Leigh is a variant of Lee. One English interpretation is “from the meadow.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
In English use, Leigh is a variant of Lee. An origin associated with Lee is Old English. Leigh is a variant of Lea. An origin associated with Lea is English.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1882. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. In English use, Leigh is a variant of Lee. The history of Lee gives this family its wider story. Lee’s naming history includes the use of a family name as a given name.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Leigh through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 45,349
- 5,107 boys · 40,242 girls
- Most popular year
- 1969
- 1,641 babies
- 2025
- 31
- #4,504 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −21%
- Easing
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 7% boys.
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 31 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 4,504 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 19.2% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 1,564 in 1969. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 38,258 as a first name in 2020; 10,042 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Leigh’s family of names
In English usage, Leigh has a related form in Lee. Leigh has a related form in Lea.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
People named Leigh
- Leigh BrackettAmerican novelist and screenwriter (1915–1978)
- Leigh-Allyn BakerAmerican actressborn 1972
- Leigh WhannellAustralian filmmaker and actorborn 1977
- Leigh BardugoIsraeli-American authorborn 1975
- Leigh FrancisBritish actor and hostborn 1973
- Leigh GriffithsScottish association football playerborn 1990
- Leigh Howardracing cyclistborn 1989
- Leigh HarlineAmerican film composer and songwriter (1907-1969)
- Leigh NashAmerican singerborn 1976
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Appears in
Similar names
If you love Leigh, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Leanne
“from the meadow” · “the shining light”
>99% girls
Lora
“crowned with laurel; from the laurel tree”
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Laurie
“man from Laurentum; crowned with laurel” · “crowned with laurel; from the laurel tree”
>99% girls
Lori
“crowned with laurel; from the laurel tree”
>99% girls
Spring
“refers to the season; born in spring”
>99% girls
Marni
“woman of the sea”
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Marnie
“woman of the sea”
>99% girls
Lorra
“crowned with laurel; from the laurel tree”
>99% girls