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Ledger

♂ Boy

Pronounced LEJ-er /ˈlɛdʒ.ər/High

Meaning: From the Old English or Old Dutch name Leodegar, a compound of leod ('people, tribe') and gar ('spear'), meaning 'people's spear' or 'spear of the tribe'; also borne by Saint Leodegar of Autun; the surname Ledger developed from this first nameMedium

In 30 seconds: Ledger is a striking Old English surname-name meaning 'people's spear,' borne as a surname by Heath Ledger. Since his iconic Joker performance, Ledger has been one of the most emotionally resonant tribute names of the 21st century.
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Origin MediumOld English, Dutch
MeaningFrom the Old English or Old Dutch name Leodegar, a compound of leod ('people, tribe') and gar ('spear'), meaning 'people's spear' or 'spear of the tribe'; also borne by Saint Leodegar of Autun; the surname Ledger developed from this first name
U.S. rank (2025)#554 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births541 boys (0.03% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,965

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202419232025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Ledger derives as a surname from the medieval given name Leodegar or Leodegarius, from Old English or Frankish leod (people) and gar (spear), meaning 'people's spear.' Saint Leodegar of Autun (c. 616–679 CE), a Frankish bishop and martyr, spread the name through medieval France and the Low Countries. The surname Ledger evolved from this personal name through normal English surname development.

Ledger as a first name entered U.S. charts significantly after the death of Australian actor Heath Ledger in 2008, whose iconic Joker role in The Dark Knight had just premiered. Parents began using Ledger as a tribute name almost immediately. It has been rising steadily since, now ranking in the top 300, appealing to parents who want a distinctive surname-name with powerful cultural and emotional resonance.

Did you know? Heath Ledger's posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight (2008) is one of the most celebrated performances in cinema history — and his surname Ledger has been adopted as a first name by thousands of parents as a tribute.
Overall data confidence 83%
U.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

LegerLedge

Nicknames

LedEdge

Famous Bearers

  • ★Heath Ledger (1979–2008)
    Australian actor and posthumous Academy Award winner for his Joker performance in The Dark Knight.

If you like Ledger…

Heath— the first name of Heath Ledger himself, a surname-name with the same rugged English heritage
Porter— two-syllable English occupational surname-name in the same rising contemporary register
Gauge— short, bold English surname-name with the same strong, masculine one-or-two-syllable feel
Ledge— the near-identical shortened form carrying the same rock-solid minimalism

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ledger mean?

Ledger comes from the Old English name Leodegar meaning 'people's spear' (leod = people, gar = spear). As a surname it was made famous by actor Heath Ledger.

How do you pronounce Ledger?

It is said LEJ-er — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Ledger a boy or girl name?

Ledger is used almost exclusively as a boys' name.

How popular is Ledger?

Ledger ranks in the U.S. top 300 and has been rising since actor Heath Ledger's iconic performance made it one of the most emotionally meaningful tribute names of the era.