Lenin
Primarily a boy's name of Russian origin with 1,679 recorded births. Also given to 5 girls.
Meaning & Origin
Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, a Russian revolutionary and politician.
Lenin is a boy's and girl's baby name most strongly associated with Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, the Russian revolutionary leader who led the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 and founded the Soviet state. The name is used primarily in countries with communist or socialist political traditions, where Lenin remains a revered historical figure.
Lenin is used as a given name in Cuba, Venezuela, and other countries where communist-era revolutionary figures are celebrated. In the United States, it appears primarily within Latin American immigrant communities where the tradition of naming children after political heroes extends to the 20th century's revolutionary movements. Whether honoring or simply appreciating history, it is an unmistakable name.
EtymologyShow more
Though Lenin dates back to 1925 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Russian classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
Lenin’s 1,679 recorded births provide enough of a footprint to establish it as a real, chosen name in American culture — not a typo or a one-off, but a deliberate selection by hundreds of families.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Lenin climbed 276 spots in the last 20 years — from #3124 to #2848.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 274 | #2501 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 527 | #2614 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 397 | #2763 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 229 | #3158 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 147 | #3487 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 95 | #3840 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 5 | #4486 | — |
| 1920s | 5 | #4608 | — |
The Story of Lenin
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2018, Lenin is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Lenin are most likely born between 2008 and 2024.
How rare is Lenin?
Only about 1 in every 80,000 babies born in 2024 was named Lenin — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1925, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 527 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Lenin by the numbers
- Would fill 35 school buses
- Meeting one Lenin per day would take 4.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(56 years, 1925–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 45 | #2848 |
| 2023 | 46 | #2782 |
| 2022 | 67 | #2181 |
| 2021 | 63 | #2241 |
| 2020 | 53 | #2453 |
| 2019 | 64 | #2201 |
| 2018 | 83 | #1828 |
| 2017 | 71 | #2010 |
| 2016 | 59 | #2266 |
| 2015 | 66 | #2124 |
| 2014 | 36 | #3137 |
| 2013 | 38 | #2979 |
| 2012 | 28 | #3763 |
| 2011 | 35 | #3216 |
| 2010 | 47 | #2612 |
| 2009 | 43 | #2826 |
| 2008 | 49 | #2567 |
| 2007 | 43 | #2789 |
| 2006 | 46 | #2607 |
| 2005 | 49 | #2391 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Lenin as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Lenin has also been given to 5 girls in the U.S. since 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lenin a boy's or girl's name?
When was Lenin most popular?
How popular is the name Lenin?
Can Lenin be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1925–2024