Lemmie
Primarily a boy's name of Hebrew origin with 666 recorded births. Also given to 150 girls.
Meaning & Origin
Lemmie is a one-syllable boy's name with a bright, approachable sound — giving the name a friendly, informal feel. With 666 recorded U.S. births since 1889, it sits in a sweet spot: recognizable enough to be a real name, uncommon enough to turn heads.
Lemmie is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Lemmie is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, a variant of Lemuel, derived from the Hebrew lemu'el, meaning 'devoted to God' or 'belonging to God.' In the Book of Proverbs, Lemuel is the name of a king to whom his mother gives wise counsel — a passage that contains the famous 'virtuous woman' poem.
Lemmie is the informal, affectionate short form of Lemuel, used primarily in the American South from the 19th through early 20th century. It carries the deep Hebrew devotion of Lemuel in a warm, casual two-syllable form that feels like a name with a rocking chair and a porch behind it.
EtymologyShow more
Lemmie is cataloged under the Hebrew naming tradition. Hebrew names often carry theological significance — many embed references to God, virtues, or blessings within their structure.
In the U.S., Lemmie has been recorded as a boy's name since 1889, with 666 total births. Browse the Hebrew names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Lemmie has 66+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1889.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 56 | — |
| 1950s | 60 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 98 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 125 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 148 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 105 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 39 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 25 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 5 | — |
The Story of Lemmie
A Silent Generation name
Peaking in 1931, Lemmie is an elegant vintage name. Boys named Lemmie are most likely born between 1921 and 1941.
How rare is Lemmie?
With 666 total births on record, Lemmie remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1889, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 148 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Lemmie by the numbers
- Would fill 14 school buses
- Meeting one Lemmie per day would take 1.8 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(66 years, 1889–1988)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 5 | #8018 |
| 1966 | 11 | #2560 |
| 1965 | 6 | #3750 |
| 1964 | 5 | #4379 |
| 1963 | 9 | #2971 |
| 1962 | 10 | #2774 |
| 1961 | 9 | #3010 |
| 1960 | 6 | #3881 |
| 1958 | 8 | #3163 |
| 1957 | 8 | #3155 |
| 1955 | 10 | #2681 |
| 1953 | 7 | #3288 |
| 1952 | 7 | #3255 |
| 1951 | 13 | #2201 |
| 1950 | 7 | #3197 |
| 1949 | 12 | #2289 |
| 1948 | 10 | #2544 |
| 1947 | 12 | #2317 |
| 1946 | 6 | #3371 |
| 1945 | 5 | #3574 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Lemmie as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Lemmie has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 150 births since 1892.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lemmie a boy's or girl's name?
When was Lemmie most popular?
How popular is the name Lemmie?
Can Lemmie be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1889–1988