English Names that Start With L

An alternative spelling of Lovett, a diminutive of Lovell or Lowell, ultimately from the French lou, this name has the cool meaning of "little wolf" or "wolf cub". First appearing in the US stats for girls back in 1948, it has been used quietly across the 20th-century and into the 21st, appealing perhaps because of its similarity to the phrase "love it" or the presence of "love" in the spelling more generally. In fact, it could even be considered an elaboration of Love.

Lovette

Layden and its little brother Leyden are both used quietly in the US. Layden was given to about 20 baby boys last year, while Leyden was used for five. 

Both names are more commonly found as surnames and owe their lives as first names to the trend for the popular Aiden or Ayden enhanced with different first letters: Cayden, Brayden, Zayden etc. But Layden and Leyden are Anglicizations of the old Irish Gaelic name Loideain and may be considered its relatives.

Leyden Lewis is a prominent interior designer.

Laydon

A modern feeling choice for those who can't choose between Lainey, Lakelyn, Landry, and Ainsley, Lainley might appeal. Meaning "meadow by the lane" or perhaps "Elaine's meadow" or "shining clearing",  it made its US debut in 2024. Laneley, Lainley, Laynely, and so on might be alternative spellings. 

Lainley

Appearing in the US stats a handful on times in the early 20th century, this name can be read in two ways. On one hand, it's a surname-style choice, derived from either the English Leofman meaning "dear, beloved person" or from the Gaelic Lagmont meaning "law man". On the other, it is a modern twist on the fruit name Lemon.  



Lemmon

Similar in feel to Truett, Everett, and Merritt, Lovett is a surname style choice, drawn from the French lou via the English Lovell and Lowell. As such, it means "little wolf" or perhaps "wolf cub".
 
Possibly originating as a nickname, it is associated with musicians Lyle Lovett and Ben Lovett, and the character of Mrs. Lovett in the story of Sweeney Todd, a baker who makes pies from the barber's victims.
 
Given to 6 girls in 2024 when it made its debut, part of Lovett's draw could be its similarity to the phrase "love it".

Lovett

Appearing in the US stats in 2024, Loveland fits in with the likes of Holland and Lakeland. A literal interpretation of its meaning could be "land of love", however, as a surname, it come's from the Anglo-Saxon "Leofa's estate" or "Lufa's land", Leofa meaning "dear, beloved" and Lufa meaning "love, affection". 
 
Additionally, it's an Americanized form of the Norwegian Løvland, meaning "leaf land", adding a nature-related vibe to the name. In terms of its contemporary usage however, it is perhaps its associate with love that has drawn parents to it.

Loveland

A surname style choice that likely originated from a place in Cornwall, the exact etymology of the name is unknown, though "enclosure of Lon" or "farmstead of Lon" have been suggested, Lon referring to a person. Alternatively, it might have been borrowed the name of a town in Brittany, Lannion, which means "Parish of Huon" (Huon being the Breton form of Hugh).
 
The name appears in the book the Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson and may appeal as an alternative to Lennon, Layton, and Lachlan.

Lanyon

A snappy surname choice with a variety of origins, Levitt may appeal to those who enjoy Merritt, Liv, Levi, Lettie, and Everett. 
 
From its English origins, Levitt likely derives from the French place name, Livet which could mean "where the yew trees grow", giving it a nature-connected feel. Alternatively it may be a contracted form of Leverett (meaning "young hare" from its French roots and "beloved counsel" from its Old English ones) or a spin on Livith or Leofgyð, Old English names meaning "beloved in battle".
 
As an Ashkenazi Jewish surname, Levitt is derived from the German, Russian, and Bulgarian Levit, meaning "Levite," a descendant of the biblical figure Levi. It could then borrow Levi's meaning: "joined, attached".
 
Used predominantly (albeit quietly) for boys in the US, influencer Paige R Williams chose it for her daughter's middle name in 2025, which may inspired other parents.

Levitt

Laenan Kite is the protagonist of the 2002 novel Mirror Dreams written by sicence fiction and urban magic writer, Catherine Webb. They likely created the name for the character in keeping with the magical elements on the book, however, it has a contemporary and intriguing sound.
 
While the exact origins of the Laenan are unknown, it could be based on the name Lane, which may connect it to either the English word for a pathway, the name Elaine meaning "shining light", the Irish surname Lane, meaning "warrior", or to the name Delaney meaning "from the alder grove", "dark champion", or "dark river". Alternatively, it may be borrowed from an Old English and Estonian word meaning "loan", "grant", or "gift", though it could equally be a scrambling of the name Leanna.

Laenan

While English speakers may consider this a bold word choice or a short form of Lionel, it is additionally a Hebrew name, combining the elements li and on meaning "my strength, my potency". Predominantly used for girls in Israel (though it is technically unisex), elsewhere it leans masculine, in reference to the animal.

Lion

Local is an unusual word name with homely connotations, bringing to mind familiar places, close-knit communities, and one's own neighborhood. While some might find it just too obscure and random as a name, it was chosen by content creator, Mandee McEvoy (ourmodernhome) for her son, born in 2026. 
 
Nickname Cal, perhaps?

Local

Lennon meets Clementine in this citrusy sounding name, which may be interpreted in two ways. On one hand, it could be a twist on the fruit name Lemon, a bold choice that was given to 30 girls in a recent year. On the other, it's a surname, derived from either the Old English Leofman meaning "beloved person", or from Lamont, a Gaelic and Old Norse name meaning "law man". 
 
Occasionally used for boys in the 20th century, it has appeared on social media birth announcements for baby girls in 2026.

Likely a surname-style spin on Lyle or Lilias, this unusual option may provide some inspiration from who like Lily, Lila, Isla, and Lois, but also Ellis, Linden, Carlisle, and Riley. Appearing in birth announcements on social media, it could mean "from the island" or "lilies" depending on whether you take it as a variant of Lyle/Lisle or Lilias/Lileas. 

Liles

Lark-related names from Larkin to Skylark, Larken to Larkspur, and of course, Lark itself, have all gained more attention in recent years, both in real life and on Nameberry. Larksong is an even more whimsy option, joining the likes of Birdsong and Windsong as bold middle name options to play around with. 

Larksong

A little known name from the Arthurian Romances, Lyonors has the elegance of Eleanor, the poetic feel of Lenore, and the strength of Leona. In Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, Lyonors is given to a woman who bears Arthur's child, while in Alfred Lord Tennyson's Gareth and Lynette, it is used for Lynette's sister.
 
Likely deriving from lyon and leo rather than being a relative of Eleanor and family, the name relates to Lyonesse: the name used by Malory for Lynette's sister and the name of a legendary lost kingdom.

Lyonors

Lauttie is an alternative spelling to the sweet and stylish nickname Lottie, but it could also work as a short form of Lauretta, or for anyone wanting to honor a Laura, Laurence, Laurel, or Lauren in a more subtle way. 
 
It may additionally relate to Lauti, a short form of the Mapuche name Lautaro, meaning "swift hawk", or perhaps to Laut, a Dutch name that may have derived from Laurentius (meaning "from Laurentum"), or from the Germanic element hlud (meaning "famous").

Lauttie

Lyrania is a contemporary choice that may be viewed in several ways. On one hand, it's a pretty, elaborated form of the Greek Lyra, giving it a hint of Liliana, while on the other, it may be viewed as a smooth name, blending Lyra with the Arabic Rania, giving it the poetic meaning of "heavenly Lyra".
 
Other sources suggest it's a spin on Lyria ("lyre") or Liliana ("lily; pledged to God"), or perhaps a a blend of Lyla and Rania ("night + heaven"), Lyra and Ania ("graceful lyre"), Lyra and Rania (from its Norse roots, "to look on the lyre"). 
 
Similar sounding Liriana is another option.

Lyrania

A choice reserved for Arsenal Football Club superfans, Lanesra is like the better known Nevaeh in that it's a word spelled backwards and transformed into something that sounds more conventionally name-like. Surprisingly similar to Larissa, Lana, Vanessa, and Lorenza, Lanesra might pass as a rare name unless anyone is paying close attention to the letters. 
 
Used since at least 2009 (according to <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-35244969">this article</a>), it made the England and Wales stats for the first time in 2022, while in a more recent year, it was given to 7 girls. Typically pronounced luh-NEZ-ruh, the softer luh-NES-ruh could work too.
 
The popular London-based football team is named in honor of its origins: the club, in its earliest form, can be traced back to a group of workers from the Woolwich Arsenal Armament Factory, who started a football team in 1886.

Lanesra

A frilly, Romantasy-esque name, Lyrisia feels ready to appear in a novel — though it might equally appeal to parents looking for something rare and fanciful with a touch of familiarity about it too. The name could be considered an elaboration of the Greek Lyra, a form of the floral Portuguese Liria, a twist on the Greek and Russian Larisa, or an elongation of the Albanian Liri. 
 
Alternatively, you could consider it a blend of Lyra and Alisia ("noble lyre") or Lyra and Elysia ("lyre of Elysium"), or another compound of similar names.

Lyrisia

Taken from the name of an English city, Leicester has an aristocratic look about it, though its shorter and simpler than it looks at first glance. Said just as the same as Lester, the more stripped back spelling is usually preferred, bringing with it less risk of mispronunciation. 
 
Used as a given name by Charles Dickens in his novel Bleak House, the name comes the Latin castra meaning "military camp" or "fort", combined with the name of a river.

Leicester

English names that start with the letter L for boys and girls, including Lovette, Laydon, Lainley, Lemmon, Lovett, Loveland, Lanyon, Levitt, Laenan, Lion, Local, Lemmon, Liles, Larksong, Lyonors, Lauttie, Lyrania, Lanesra, Lyrisia, and Leicester. (Page 8)

English Names that Start With L

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