Leland
2025 SSA
2025 SSA
About Leland
Popular in the first half of the 20th century, Leland briefly fell out of favor in the late 90s. After a short break from the US charts, it returned in the mid-2000s, with actor Brendan Fraser choosing it for his youngest son, possibly making it feel cool again. Given to around 500 boys each year, Leland is in the Top 600.
Leland for boys#494 US
Deriving from the English place name and surname, Leyland, meaning "untilled or fallow land", it can also mean "meadow land" from the Old English word Leah. Both serious and sporty in feel, the name is reminiscent of Leroy and Leonard, but also Landon and Liam, somehow managing to feel a little dated but right on trend simultaneously.
Leland Stanford was the founder of Stanford University and one-time Governor of California
Leland for girls#7710 US
Leland is traditionally a masculine name that has crossed over to occasional feminine usage. With Old English origins, it means 'meadow land' or 'fallow ground.' The name combines 'lea' (meadow) with 'land,' creating a nature-inspired moniker with a gentle, pastoral feeling. As a female name, Leland emerged as part of the trend toward gender-neutral naming in the late 20th century. It offers a distinctive alternative to popular 'L' names like Leah or Lily. Though still predominantly used for boys, Leland for girls provides a strong yet feminine option with a connection to the natural world. The name carries a sophisticated, preppy quality with subtle outdoor associations.
Pronounced LEE-lund.
As of October 2026, Leland ranked #494 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #171 in 1921, Nameberry popularity #486.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · boys | Births · boys | US rank · girls | Births · girls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #409 | 758 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | #378 | 856 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | #417 | 758 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | #389 | 817 | — | 0 |
| 2018 | #420 | 747 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | #415 | 743 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | #470 | 634 | — | 0 |
| 2021 | #433 | 720 | — | 0 |
| 2022 | #500 | 609 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | #520 | 567 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | #547 | 540 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | #494 | 612 | — | 0 |
World rankings
Leland for boys
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Leland on lists
Famous Lelands
- (Amasa) Leland StanfordBoy
American industrialist and politician
- Leland Bruce "Lee" SklarBoy
American musician
- Leland Blaine ChapmanBoy
American bounty hunter, son of bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman
- Leland Austin aka Yung L.A.Boy
American rapper
- Leland Jones OrserBoy
American actor
- Leland Harrison HartwellBoy
American biologist and winner of the Nobel Prize
- Leland HaywardBoy
American film producer
- (Leland) Milo HamiltonBoy
American sportscaster
- Leland Francis Fraser (b. 2006)Boy
son of actor Brendan Fraser
Leland in pop culture
- Leland P. FitzgeraldBoy
main character in 2003 movie "The United States of Leland"
- Leland PalmerBoy
character on TV's "Twin Peaks"
- Leland StottlemeyerBoy
character on TV's "Monk"
- Leland McCauley III and IVBoy
characters in DC Comics
- Leland FontaineBoy
character in Dan Brown's "Digital Fortress"
- LelandBoy
character in podcast "Welcome to Night Vale"
- Leland WickstaffBoy
character in children's novel "The Wish Giver"
- General Leland ZevoBoy
character from 1992 film "Toys"
- Captain Leland GalloBoy
character from The CW TV Show "Valor"
- Leland "Lee" CoulterBoy
character in the Hallmark TV series "When Calls the Heart"
- LelandGirl
character from "The Walking Dead Game: 400 Days"