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Legend

♂ Boy

Pronounced LEJ-end /ˈlɛdʒ.ənd/High

Meaning: A story to be read; a remarkable, enduring story or person — from Latin legenda (things to be read)High

In 30 seconds: A boldly aspirational vocabulary name from the Latin for 'things to be read.' Legend declares greatness from birth — it entered the U.S. top 200 boys' names in the 2010s as a new wave of word-names with powerful meanings arrived.

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Origin HighEnglish, Latin

MeaningA story to be read; a remarkable, enduring story or person — from Latin legenda (things to be read)

U.S. rank (2025)#193 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births1,862 boys (0.11% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2021

Total births (all-time)≈ 25,771

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

Legend is an English word derived from Medieval Latin legenda, the gerundive of legere (to read), meaning 'things to be read.' It referred originally to hagiographies — saints' lives read aloud in churches. Over time the word evolved to mean any remarkable, heroic story or the remarkable person at its center.

As a given name, Legend is part of a contemporary American trend for powerful, aspirational word-names alongside names like King, Ace, and Major. It entered the U.S. top 200 boys' names around 2013 and has continued rising, favored by parents who want a name that sets a high bar.

Did you know? The word 'legend' originally referred to a text to be read aloud, typically the life of a saint — the most famous medieval collection being Legenda Aurea (The Golden Legend, c. 1260), a bestseller of the Middle Ages.

Variations

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Nicknames

LegLeggy

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Legend…

Ace— short, punchy aspirational name with the same 'best of the best' meaning

Leeland— echoes that soft -nd sound

Oakland— lands in the same popularity range

Zealand— a fellow English choice

Dezmond— shares the -nd ending

Explore names like Legend

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Legend mean?

Legend comes from Medieval Latin legenda (things to be read) and means a remarkable, enduring story or an extraordinary person.

How do you pronounce Legend?

Legend is pronounced LEJ-end /ˈlɛdʒ.ənd/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Legend a boy or girl name?

Legend is used predominantly as a boy's name in the U.S.

How popular is Legend?

Legend entered the U.S. top 200 boys' names around 2013 and has continued to rise as aspirational word-names gain popularity.