How popular is the baby name Leigh in the United States right now? How popular was it historically? Use the popularity graph and data table below to find out! Plus, see all the blog posts that mention the name Leigh.

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Popularity of the baby name Leigh


Posts that mention the name Leigh

Popular baby names in England and Wales (UK), 2011

Flag of the United Kingdom
Flag of the United Kingdom

According to the Office for National Statistics, the new top baby names in England and Wales are Harry and Amelia.

They beat out 2010’s top names, Oliver and Olivia.

Here are the current top 25 names for both boys and girls:

Girl Names

  1. Amelia
  2. Olivia
  3. Lily
  4. Jessica
  5. Emily
  6. Sophie
  7. Ruby
  8. Grace
  9. Ava
  10. Isabella
  11. Evie
  12. Chloe
  13. Mia
  14. Poppy
  15. Isla
  16. Ella
  17. Isabelle
  18. Sophia
  19. Freya
  20. Daisy
  21. Charlotte
  22. Maisie
  23. Lucy
  24. Phoebe
  25. Scarlett

Boy Names

  1. Harry
  2. Oliver
  3. Jack
  4. Alfie
  5. Charlie
  6. Thomas
  7. Jacob
  8. James
  9. Joshua
  10. William
  11. Ethan
  12. George
  13. Riley
  14. Daniel
  15. Samuel
  16. Noah
  17. Oscar
  18. Joseph
  19. Mohammed
  20. Max
  21. Dylan
  22. Muhammad
  23. Alexander
  24. Archie
  25. Benjamin

In Wales specifically, the top names were Oliver and Lily. In London, Daniel and Isabella.

A few other things I noticed…

Usage of Pippa increased in 2011, thanks to the royal wedding:

  • 2011: 250 baby girls named Pippa (rank: 204th)
  • 2010: 124 baby girls named Pippa (rank: 365th)
  • 2009: 125 baby girls named Pippa (rank: 351st)

Usage of another quirky P-name, Pixie, is also on the up thanks to English pop star Pixie Lott:

  • 2011: 99 baby girls named Pixie (rank: 432nd)
    • +6 named Pixie-Lou
    • +5 named Pixie-Leigh
  • 2010: 83 baby girls named Pixie (rank: 485th)
    • +3 named Pixie-Lou
    • +3 named Pixie-Rose
  • 2009: 33 baby girls named Pixie (rank: 982nd)

I also spotted 5 baby girls named Renesmee, 4 named Coraline and 4 named Io.

The most insightful article I’ve seen about this batch of names so far is Ed West’s “Britain’s divided nation is revealed in our baby names.” Some snippets:

  • “…the annually-published list does show that, for the first time in nine centuries, English people are easily identifiable by class solely by their name, since most names in the 2011 list have strong class biases either way.”
  • “Social mobility will be achieved only when we all give our children the same names.”

Have you spotted anything interesting or surprising on the England and Wales 2011 list?

Source: Baby names in England and Wales: 2011

Image: Adapted from Flag of the United Kingdom (public domain)

The top girl-name debuts of 2010

lotus bud

Below are the girl name debuts of 2010.

What do I mean by “girl name debuts”? I mean girl names that never appeared on the Social Security Administration’s baby name list before 2010. That is, girl names that were never given to more than 5 baby girls in any single year on record (1880-2009).

  1. Tynlee, 42 baby girls – based on Tenley, inspired by Bachelor contestant Tenley Molzahn (thanks Brandy & Angela!)
  2. Khloei, 21
  3. Peyson, 18 – based on Payson, inspired by Make It or Break It character Payson (h/t SkyeRhyly)
  4. Tensley, 18
  5. Rossibell, 17 – from Nuestra Belleza Latina
  6. Solanch, 17
  7. Malillany, 16 – from actress Malillany Marín (h/t Angela)
  8. Emonii, 15
  9. Neytiri, 15 – the Avatar baby name!
  10. Ryden, 15
  11. Jazae, 14
  12. Winry, 14 – from anime character Winry Rockbell (h/t Angela)
  13. Addalynne, 13
  14. Alhia, 13
  15. Armonii, 13
  16. Emmelina, 13
  17. Geleah, 13
  18. Tenli, 13
  19. Bethenny, 12 – thanks to Bethenny Frankel
  20. Kenzly, 12
  21. Kynzlie, 12
  22. Naleigh, 12 – Katherine Heigl’s daughter’s nickname (Nancy + Leigh)
  23. Paisyn, 12
  24. Elyzah, 11
  25. Imar, 11
  26. Koraline, 11
  27. Olyviah, 11
  28. Reighlynn, 11
  29. Tynleigh, 11
  30. Anberlyn, 10
  31. Ariabella, 10
  32. Avaiyah, 10
  33. Chrissette, 10 – based on Chrisette, inspired by Chrisette Michele
  34. Collyns, 10
  35. Fatimazahra, 10
  36. Haydenn, 10
  37. Mahrosh, 10
  38. Naleia, 10
  39. Paycen, 10
  40. Reemas, 10
  41. Sookie, 10 – from True Blood barmaid Sookie Stackhouse (nice job Jamie & Amanda!)
  42. Vaya, 10

Given to 9 baby girls:
Celiana, Emelynn, Evelet, Hartleigh, Javeyah, Jazayah, Josenid, Juiliana, Juleena, Kailaya, Kanylah, Kollins, Maielle, Mayukha, Millani, Mishika, Phinley, Rayanah, Rozalie, Ryleighann, Sui, Sukhleen, Tinslee, Yahvi, Zaydie, Zaylyn

Given to 8 baby girls:
Agrima, Ahriyah, Aliiyah, Azula, Baiya, Bentlea, Breyelle, Ceriyah, Cymphony, Dieynaba, Dynver, Ellody, Emiliya, Emuna, Enajiah, Hailo, Harloe, Heldana, Honestii, Insiya, Jamilyah, Janielys, Kadira, Karmynn, Kiralee, Koli, Lilyah, Mahlaya, Malinalli, Mckinsley, Muniba, Naiyla, Paysli, Phallyn, Sahanna, Saraji, Sopheya, Success, Tarijah, Tinzley, Vedanshi, Veya, Vung, Yaara, Yaila, Zaliya, Zhuri, Zylee

Given to 7 baby girls:
Adalayde, Adaleena, Amairah, Analyz, Anjeliett, Armiya, Attalia, Aylynn, Brees, Brennley, Brently, Brindle, Caylinn, Copelyn, Coralyne, Crisette (see above), Daisymae, Dannaly, Daylani, Daymi, Delaili, Dubraska, Ellye, Emrys, Emyiah, Evoleht, Fynn, Giyanna, Guilliana, Hazelynn, Isabelah, Ishwari, Jaxsyn, Jenisys, Kaashvi, Kalashia, Kamella, Kerlin, Keylli, Kinli, Lochlynn, Lunabella, Luxi, Lyliah, Lynli, Macilynn, Makenzii, Makynleigh, Malaun, Malillani, Maliyani, Marayla, Mckenzii, Mehjabeen, Monzeratt, Naledi, Nazari, Nechy, Nesia, No, Noriana, Oluwasemilore, Paetynn, Petal, Phenyx, Portland, Rhyon, Rosealyn, Rylenn, Sajda, Tenlie, Tennley, Tinleigh, Tinzlee, Westyn, Yoona, Yorley, Zriah, Zykayla, Zynah

Given to 6 baby girls:
Aareona, Abela, Adallyn, Adalyna, Addisin, Addysn, Adelayne, Ahnalee, Ahnisty, Aiyani, Akyria, Aleemah, Alianys, Allieanna, Alyka, Amyliah, Aneeqa, Anleigh, Annalin, Architha, Arielyz, Ariyunna, Asiel, Aveleen, Avereigh, Averylynn, Ayati, Aydree, Aydrianna, Ayleigh, Ayvrie, Bellasophia, Benelli, Bixby, Braelie, Breelee, Brithny, Bryndal, Celisse, Chayden, Chesleigh, Coralina, Daeun, Dannaka, Dannely, Daryna, Delajah, Delilha, Denylah, Ealyn, Elaia, Emalyne, Emellia, Emelya, Emmelin, Emmrie, Enalina, Ereny, Esmi, Faya, Garner, Haizley, Haliana, Hartlyn, Haydi, Hazelee, Hikma, Hudsen, Ilhaan, Inci, Innessa, Ivyunna, Ixareli, Jahlissa, Jahziah, Janihya, Japneet, Jasilynn, Jasya, Jaydelyn, Jaylamarie, Jaylanni, Jayliany, Jazari, Jenessis, Jeraldyn, Jerely, Jeriana, Jhourni, Kamiyha, Kamyree, Karizmah, Kawsar, Kayleeanne, Kaymani, Kayzlee, Kealynn, Kemariyah, Kevaeh, Khaelyn, Khaleia, Khloye, Kimyia, Kinzlie, Kiylie, Kollyn, Kylaya, Kynnlie, Kynzley, Laliyah, Layelle, Lazariya, Leilanii, Lev, Lexanie, Lianett, Lillyaunna, Lilyiana, Liylah, Lizsandra, Logynn, Loxley, Lucillia, Luxx, Lyannah, Lyndin, Madilene, Maesie, Mafata, Mahal, Majorie, Makeira, Malinah, Maxim, Maybelin, Mays, Mckynli, Miabelle, Mickaylah, Milaun, Nabella, Nayloni, Nayome, Nayonika, Neomy, Nevaha, Nilani, Nitasha, Nylayah, Oluwaferanmi, Omiyah, Paesyn, Pahal, Paisely, Phoenixx, Prakriti, Pushti, Quinlee, Quinnley, Raiyah, Rajana, Rayleah, Rehan, Reja, Rhylen, Rimya, Ruaa, Ruah, Ruslana, Rylii, Saanvika, Sachika, Sadora, Salea, Sameriah, Samiira, Samriddhi, Sanchi, Sanylah, Savi, Shanvi, Sharleez, Shasmeen, Skilah, Sophiaann, Sukie, Swasti, Swayzie, Tabata, Tamariana, Tarajhi, Tazkia, Tazlyn, Tenly, Tyjanay, Xinyu, Xyliah, Yashaswini, Yaxiry, Zabdy, Zairy, Zaiyah, Zakarah, Zamoni, Zarihya, Zaylen, Ziannah, Zoeylynn, Zurielle, Zynae, Zyriyah, Zyyanna

Given to 5 baby girls (a few highlights from a much longer list):
Abyssinia, Aveda, Corabella, Endsley, Julivette, Misk, Nevaehtnes, Polaris, Shiphrah, Vidula, Wengel, Zealand

(See the top boy name debuts of 2010.)

Source: SSA

Image: Adapted from LotusBud0048a (public domain) by Frank “Fg2” Gualtieri

Baby names needed: Girl names for Thomas’ twin sisters

A reader named Eva is expecting twin girls and would like some help naming them. She says:

One of the twins should have a unisex first name and a very girly middle name. For the second twin we want a girly first name and unisex middle name.

Here are the names Eva likes so far:

  • Unisex: Avery, Harper, Morgan, Kennedy, Madison
  • Feminine: Anastasia, Michaela, Caroline, Sofia, Kristina

Her husband is only on board with Avery, Caroline, Kristina and Michaela (he prefers the spelling Makayla).

The twins will have an older brother named Thomas Aiden (nn Tommy) and their surname will be similar to Damon.

Eva’s criteria reminded me of the twins named Charlotte and Dylan I wrote about a few years ago. I think the name Charlotte is a good option in this case, but Dylan plus that surname might be D/N-overload. Here are some other possibilities:

Feminine namesUnisex names
Adeline
Amelia
Anne/Annie
Bethany
Camille
Cassandra
Cecilia
Cynthia
Esmé
Fiona
Gemma
Genevieve
Hannah
Helena
Julia
Lydia
Lucy
Maria
Melanie
Melissa
Monica
Nicole
Olivia
Phoebe
Rose
Samantha
Sarah
Tabitha
Theresa
Victoria
Addison
Ainsley
Alexis
Bailey
Cameron
Casey
Cassidy
Emery
Finley
Harley
Jamie
Jordan
Kendall
Leigh
Paige
Parker
Piper
Quinn
Reagan
Reese
Riley
Rowan
Sage
Shea
Sidney
Skylar
Tatum
Taylor
Teagan
Willow

Which of the above names do you like best for Tommy’s sisters? What combinations (either unisex+feminine or feminine+unisex) sound best together, do you think?

Here are a few combinations I like, just to kick things off:

  • Unisex+Feminine: Avery Helena, Cameron Nicole, Riley Caroline
  • Feminine+Unisex: Amelia Quinn, Olivia Willow, Victoria Leigh

Baby name needed: Girl name for Edie’s sister

A reader named Andrea is expecting her second daughter in May and she’d appreciate some name suggestions. Here’s what she writes:

My husband and I love unusual names that have a little bit of a retro feel (my first daughter is Edie). We’ve been trying to think of something fun and different but still feminine. A few we like: Camilla, Lina, Romi, Gia, Neve and Leigh.

Here are some other names I think they might like:

Beatrix
Bettina
Blythe
Celia
Colette
Cora
Daphne
Della
Fern
Flora
Gemma
Hazel
Iola
Iris
Isla
Jill
Kate
Lida
Livia
Louise
Lucy
Mabel
Martha
Mina
Mona
Nelle
Nessa
Nina
Odette
Pearl
Pia
Rita
Rose
Ruby
Sabina
Sally
Stella
Sylvie
Thea
Tilda
Tess
Wendy
Willa
Winnie

Which of the above do you like best with Edie? What other names would you suggest to Andrea?