Leander is a name of Greek origin that means "lion man." It is derived from the Greek word "leontos," which means lion, and the suffix "-ander," which means man or brave. Leander was the name of a hero in Greek mythology who swam across the Hellespont to be with his beloved Hero. This story has made the name Leander popular throughout history, particularly in Germany and Scandinavia. Today, Leander is still considered a strong and noble name that carries a rich historical significance.
The name Leander has been given to babies born in the United States every year since at least 1880, with some fluctuations in popularity over time.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there were periods where the name was quite popular, such as between 1912 and 1923 when there were consistently over 70 births per year. However, it seems that Leander lost some of its appeal in the following decades, with the number of births dropping to below 50 per year by the mid-1940s.
The name experienced a slight resurgence in popularity in the late 1950s and early 1960s, reaching over 60 births per year during this time. However, it once again became less common, with fewer than 50 babies named Leander born each year from the mid-1960s to the early 1980s.
Since then, the name has seen some ups and downs in popularity. In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the number of births registered for boys named Leander, with over 110 babies given this name in both 2022 and 2023. This suggests that Leander is once again gaining favor among parents in the United States.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Leander has varied over time, it remains a recognizable and distinct choice for boys born in the United States.