Leigh

♀ Girl

Pronounced LEE /ˈli/High

Meaning: Meadow, woodland clearing; from Old English leah, via the English surnameHigh

In 30 seconds: The quietest meadow in English naming: Leigh is Lee in its oldest clothes — one soft syllable meaning a sunlit clearing. Middle-name royalty, first-name rarity.

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Origin HighEnglish

MeaningMeadow, woodland clearing; from Old English leah, via the English surname

U.S. rank (2025)#4504 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births31 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1969

Total births (all-time)≈ 40,243

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

Leigh preserves the older spelling of Old English leah — a meadow or woodland clearing — which became both the surname Lee/Leigh and the most productive suffix in English naming. As a feminine given name it had a midcentury moment, prized for its understated polish, and settled into legendary middle-name service (countless Jennifers and Amandas carry it).

Actresses Vivien Leigh and Janet Leigh kept the surname glamorous, while Leigh-Anne Pinnock of Little Mix represents the given name for a new generation. As a standalone first name it is now rare — minimalist before minimalism was a trend.

Did you know? The -leigh that decorates dozens of modern names (Everleigh, Oakleigh) is this name standing alone — the Old English word for a clearing where light gets through the trees.

Overall data confidence 92%

Behind the Name — Leigh — etymology

Variations

LeeLeaLeah

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Leigh-Anne Pinnock (1991–present)
British singer, member of the group Little Mix.

If you like Leigh…

Lee— the streamlined spelling of the same meadow

Sloane— a fellow polished one-syllable girls' pick

Blair— shares the tailored minimalist register

Everleigh— the modern name wearing Leigh as its ending

Explore names like Leigh

By themeclassic nature short-and-sweet

By meaningEarth / Nature

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Leigh mean?

Leigh comes from Old English leah and means 'meadow' or 'woodland clearing'.

How do you pronounce Leigh?

It's said LEE /ˈli/ — a single syllable.

Is Leigh a boy or girl name?

Leigh is used for both sexes; this spelling has leaned feminine since midcentury, and this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Leigh?

Leigh is rare as a first name today, though it remains one of America's best-loved middle names.