Leni
About Leni
An up-and-coming nickname-style name, hugely popular in Germany and on the rise in the UK, Leni is stylish but sweet. Chosen for her daughter by high-profile German supermodel Heidi Klum back in 2004, Leni with its concise spelling and European feel is also on the rise in the US, alongside Lennie, Lenny, Lennox, and Lennon.
Leni could be a diminutive form of a number of names, including Elena, Helen/e, Lenora, and Magdalena, and its similarity to trending Lainey may give it fresh appeal.
Pronounced LAY-nee.
As of October 2026, Leni ranked #1179 in US births in 2025 SSA, Nameberry popularity #418.
Editor's take: The name Leni is a girl's name of German origin meaning "shining torch".
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #3,888 | 39 | 21.8 |
| 2015 | #3,813 | 40 | 22.4 |
| 2016 | #3,166 | 52 | 29.3 |
| 2017 | #2,997 | 55 | 31.9 |
| 2018 | #2,262 | 81 | 47.6 |
| 2019 | #1,925 | 103 | 61.4 |
| 2020 | #1,936 | 99 | 61.2 |
| 2021 | #1,755 | 117 | 71.3 |
| 2022 | #1,528 | 141 | 86 |
| 2023 | #1,197 | 201 | 125.3 |
| 2024 | #1,243 | 187 | 115.4 |
| 2025 | #1,179 | 197 | 122.6 |
World rankings
Similar names
These 20 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Leni.
- Vada
- Emme
- Ellery
- Elouise
- Merrilee
- Jovie
- Merrit
- Ellison
- Evan
- Chandler
- Wynn
- Augie
- Everett
- Tate
- Lane
- Darby
- Marin
- Nola
- Marlow
- Romi
Leni on lists
Famous Lenis
- Maria Leonor "Leni" Gerona Robredo
14th Vice President of the Philippines
- Helene Bertha Amalie "Leni" Riefenstahl
German filmmaker
- Leni Christina Elisabeth Björklund
Swedish politician
- Leni Kokkes
Hanepen, Dutch fencer
- Leni Larsen Kaurin
Norwegian footballer
- Helene "Leni" Junker
German sprinter
- Leni Parker
Canadian actress
- Leni Stengel
German actress
- Leni Harper
Scottish actress
- Leni Lynn (born Angelica Ciofani)
American actress
- Leni Stern (born Magdalena Thora)
German guitarist
- Leni Alexander
German,Chilean composer
- Ferrah Leni "Farrah" Fawcett
American actress
- Helene "Leni" Samuel (b. 2004)
daughter of model Heidi Klum, biological daughter of Flavio Briatore; adopted daughter of singer Seal
- Leni Cole (b. 2012)
daughter of footballer Mitchell Cole
- Leni Rose Oshie (b. 2016)
daughter of ice hockey player TJ Oshie
Leni in pop culture
- Leni Loud
character in Nickelodeon's "The Loud House"