Lanny

♂ Boy

Pronounced LAN-ee /ˈlæn.i/High

Meaning: Lanny is a diminutive nickname, used as a short form of Lawrence ('from Laurentum'; laurel-crowned), Landon, Roland or Alan, and given as a standalone name since the mid-twentieth century. Its route depends on the family, so no single root is definitive.Low

In 30 seconds: A warm mid-century nickname turned name: Lanny is short for Lawrence, Landon or Roland (said 'LAN-ee').

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Origin LowEnglish

MeaningLanny is a diminutive nickname, used as a short form of Lawrence ('from Laurentum'; laurel-crowned), Landon, Roland or Alan, and given as a standalone name since the mid-twentieth century. Its route depends on the family, so no single root is definitive.

U.S. rank (2024)#13366 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1949

Total births (all-time)≈ 9,577

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Lanny is a friendly diminutive that became a name in its own right in mid-twentieth-century America. It can shorten Lawrence (from Roman Laurentius, 'of Laurentum', with its laurel associations), Landon, Roland or Alan — the root depending on the household. It has an easy, informal warmth (said 'LAN-ee').

It appears only very rarely for boys in the U.S. today. Rare, retro, and friendly.

Did you know? Lanny is a nickname that grew up — a short form of Lawrence, Landon, Alan or Roland that many families simply put on the birth certificate (said 'LAN-ee').

Overall data confidence 40%

References — Lanny — Diminutive of Lawrence/Landon/Roland/Alan

Variations

LannieLonnieLanni

Nicknames

LanLann

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Lanny…

Lonnie— a like retro -ie nickname name

Danny— a like warm short form

Lance— a like crisp L- pick

Landon— one of the names it can shorten

Explore names like Lanny

By themeenglish diminutive friendly retro

By meaningRoyal / Noble Gift / Blessing

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Lanny mean?

Lanny is a short form of names such as Lawrence, Landon, Roland or Alan; its root depends on the family.

How do you pronounce Lanny?

It's said LAN-ee /ˈlæn.i/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Lanny a boy or girl name?

Lanny is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Lanny?

Lanny is a rare name for boys in the U.S. today, more familiar to older generations.