Is Lenny a boy's or girl's name?

Lenny is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 675 recorded births.

When was Lenny most popular?

Lenny reached its peak popularity in 1961 with 199 births that year. It is currently ranked #1372 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Lenny?

Lenny is currently ranked #1372 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 8,170 babies since 1914.

Lenny

An uncommon German pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsGermanRising fast Also a pet name

#1372▲ 21in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A diminutive of the male given name Leonard.

Lenny is a boy's and girl's baby name of German origin, a familiar form of Leonard, from the Old German elements meaning 'brave lion.' Lenny has stood independently for generations, carried by figures from comedian Lenny Bruce to musician Lenny Kravitz.

There's something inherently likable about Lenny — it has the warmth of a neighborhood friend and the confidence of someone completely at ease with themselves. The vintage-nickname revival that brought back Charlie, Archie, and Freddie is bringing Lenny back too.

Compare Lenny with another name

Popularity Over Time

Lenny climbed 242 spots in the last 20 years — from #1614 to #1372.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Lenny
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	601	#1494	▼
2010s	1,194	#1445	▲
2000s	839	#1649	▲
1990s	495	#1881	▼
1980s	665	#1222	▼
1970s	1,192	#763	▼
1960s	1,514	#634	▲
1950s	994	#787	▲
1940s	511	#983	▲
1930s	111	#2206	▲
1920s	41	#3735	▲
1910s	13	#3406	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(101 years, 1914–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Lenny
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	137	#1372	+4 (3.0%)
2023	133	#1393	+11 (9.0%)
2022	122	#1487	+9 (8.0%)
2021	113	#1549	+17 (17.7%)
2020	96	#1667	-9 (-8.6%)
2019	105	#1588	+11 (11.7%)
2018	94	#1685	-2 (-2.1%)
2017	96	#1655	-26 (-21.3%)
2016	122	#1428	-43 (-26.1%)
2015	165	#1144	+69 (71.9%)
2014	96	#1621	-18 (-15.8%)
2013	114	#1453	-5 (-4.2%)
2012	119	#1404	-20 (-14.4%)
2011	139	#1247	-5 (-3.5%)
2010	144	#1229	+46 (46.9%)
2009	98	#1621	-4 (-3.9%)
2008	102	#1570	+3 (3.0%)
2007	99	#1589	-5 (-4.8%)
2006	104	#1472	+16 (18.2%)
2005	88	#1580	+7 (8.6%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Lenny as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Lenny has also been given to 675 girls in the U.S. since 1943.

#2944

Current rank

675

Total births

2024

Peak year

Compare Lenny as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Lenny be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Lenny is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #1372. As a girl's name, it ranks #2944.

Lenny has two lives

Lenny, the baby name

#1372boys

8,170 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1914–2024) · Methodology