Leni
Every Leni since 1938 — 1,962 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Leni
Leni is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #1,179 in 2025 with 197 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1938, 1,962 American babies have been named Leni. Its peak came in 2023, when 208 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Leni stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Leni year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 197 | #1,179 | — | — |
| 2024 | 187 | #1,246 | — | — |
| 2023 | 201 | #1,197 | 7 | #10,343 |
| 2022 | 141 | #1,530 | — | — |
| 2021 | 117 | #1,755 | — | — |
| 2020 | 99 | #1,940 | — | — |
| 2019 | 103 | #1,925 | 5 | #13,326 |
| 2018 | 81 | #2,263 | — | — |
| 2017 | 55 | #2,998 | — | — |
| 2016 | 52 | #3,166 | — | — |
| 2015 | 40 | #3,814 | — | — |
| 2014 | 39 | #3,888 | — | — |
| 2013 | 32 | #4,497 | 5 | #13,275 |
| 2012 | 36 | #4,183 | — | — |
| 2011 | 34 | #4,313 | — | — |
| 2010 | 28 | #5,044 | 5 | #13,478 |
| 2009 | 33 | #4,541 | — | — |
| 2008 | 23 | #6,053 | — | — |
| 2007 | 18 | #7,279 | 5 | #13,588 |
| 2006 | 26 | #5,316 | — | — |
| 2005 | 11 | #9,847 | — | — |
| 2004 | 6 | #15,255 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | 7 | #8,658 | — | — |
| 1975 | 7 | #7,597 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | 5 | #7,077 | — | — |
| 1960 | 7 | #5,456 | — | — |
| 1955 | 12 | #3,477 | — | — |
| 1950 | 11 | #3,335 | — | — |
| 1945 | 11 | #2,845 | — | — |
| 1940 | 8 | #3,374 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Leni
- Leni Riefenstahl Film director · 1902–2003
- Leni Robredo Politician · b. 1965
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Leni in 2025?
Leni ranked #1,179 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 197 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Leni?
1,962 babies have been named Leni in the United States since 1938, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Leni most popular?
Leni peaked in 2023, when 208 newborns received the name.
Is Leni a boy or girl name?
Leni is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Leni rising or falling?
Leni is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Leni?
Well-known people named Leni include Leni Riefenstahl (film director), Leni Robredo (politician).