If you’re looking for L names, you’re in good company. There are lots of popular L names for girls and boys. How about Leo, Liam, Lola and Lyla for starters?
Excitingly, the latest statistics (released at the end of March 2024) have revealed a new name topping the boy baby names chart in Scotland - and it’s a name beginning with L! In 2023, the short but sweet name Luca leapt five places to the number one spot in Scotland, having previously been at number 5 in 2022 in the Scottish baby name charts.
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Then there’s the cool girl name Lara, which entered the ONS top 100 list for England and Wales for the first time in years in 2021. Clearly, names beginning with L are very much in favour with modern parents. It’s hardly surprising when you consider how the letter L adds a lovely, lyrical quality to any baby name.
How we chose the top names beginning with L
First of all, we referred to the latest official baby name stats to find out the most popular names beginning with L. This involved going through the ONS stats (for names in England and Wales) along with lists compiled by the National Records of Scotland, Central Statistics Office for the Republic of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.
Of course, we also checked Mumsnet’s extensive baby names content including most popular baby names, top baby boy names and top baby girl names. Additionally, we double-checked which names that begin with l are popular with parents and parents-to-be posting in our Mumsnet Baby Names forum.
So let’s take a look at the top baby names beginning with L.
Girl names beginning with L
1. Lacey (or Lacy)
Origin: English
Meaning: Referring to lace
2. Lakshmi
Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Mark or sign
3. Lana
Origin: Slavic (derived from Svetlana), Old Irish, English, Italian
Meaning: Shining, light, blessed, child, precious, handsome, wool or fleece
4. Laura
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Bay laurel wreath, a symbol of victory
5. Laurel
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Bay laurel wreath, a symbol of victory
6. Lara
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Laurel leaf
7. Lark
Origin: English
Meaning: Lark bird
8. Lavanya
Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Grace or beauty
9. Lavender
Origin: English
Meaning: Associated with the herb
10. Lavinia
Origin: Latin
Meaning: From Lavinium
11. Layla (or Laila)
Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Night or dark beauty
12. Leah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Weary or delicate
13. Leanne (Lianne)
Origin: English
Meaning: Graceful meadow
14. Leela
Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Divine play
15. Leia
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Weary
16. Leilani
Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: Heavenly garland of flowers or royal child
17. Lena
Origin: Greek, Russian (diminutive of Helena or Yelena)
Meaning: Light or bright one
18. Leni
Origin: German
Meaning: Bright or shining
19. Leonie
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Lioness
20. Léontine
Origin: French
Meaning: Lion
21. Leonora
Origin: Greek, Italian
Meaning: Torch, light or compassion
22. Lera
Origin: Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian (derived from Valeriya or Valeria)
Meaning: Virgin Mary or strong
23. Lexie
Origin: Greek (derived from Alexandra)
Meaning: Helper or defender
24. Libby
Origin: English (derived from Elizabeth)
Meaning: God is my oath
25. Lilac
Origin: French
Meaning: Lilac flower
26. Lili
Origin: Hebrew, English, Welsh (can be derived from Elizabeth)
Meaning: Lily flower, purity or God is my oath
27. Lilibet
Origin: Hebrew (can be derived from Elizabeth)
Meaning: Lily flower, purity or God is my oath
28. Lillian
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Lily flower or purity
29. Lily (or Lilly)
Origin: English
Meaning: Lily flower or purity
30. Lindsey (or Lyndsey)
Origin: English
Meaning: Linden wreath by the water
31. Liora
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: My light or God's gift of light
32. Lisa
Origin: Hebrew, Greek (derived from Elizabeth)
Meaning: God is my oath
33. Lisette (or Lizette)
Origin: Hebrew, French
Meaning: God is my oath
34. Liv
Origin: Scandinavian
Meaning: Life
35. Livia
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Blue or envious
36. Livvy
Origin: English (derived from Livia or Olivia)
Meaning: Blue, envious, olive wreath or peace
37. Liz
Origin: Hebrew, English (derived from Elizabeth)
Meaning: God is my oath
38. Liza
Origin: Hebrew, Greek (derived from Elizabeth)
Meaning: God is my oath
39. Lizanne
Origin: Hebrew, Afrikaans (South Africa)
Meaning: God is my oath and grace
40. Lois
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Most desirable
41. Lola
Origin: Spanish
Meaning: Lady of sorrows
42. Lordes (or Lourdes)
Origin: French
Meaning: Little French town
43. Loretta (or Lorretta)
Origin: English, Latin (derived from Laurel)
Meaning: Bay laurel wreath, symbolising victory
44. Lorna
Origin: Scottish, Latin (derived from Laurel)
Meaning: Bay laurel wreath, symbolising victory
45. Lottie (or Lotte)
Origin: German, Dutch, French (derived from Charlotte)
Meaning: Free woman
46. Louisa
Origin: French
Meaning: Famous warrior
47. Louise
Origin: French
Meaning: Famous warrior
48. Lova
Origin: Lithuanian
Meaning: Lion
49. Loveday
Origin: English, Cornish
Meaning: Day of peace
50. Lowri
Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Victory
51. Lucinda
Origin: Latin origin
Meaning: Light
52. Luella
Origin: French, German
Meaning: Famed warrior
53. Lupita
Origin: Spanish
Meaning: From the river of the wolf
54. Lyla (or Lila)
Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Night or youthful innocence
55. Lyra
Origin: Greek
Meaning: A small harp
56. Lucia
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Light
57. Luciana
Origin: Italian
Meaning: Light
58. Lucille
Origin: French
Meaning: Light
59. Lucy
Origin: English
Meaning: Light
60. Luisa
Origin: Italian
Meaning: Famous warrior
61. Lula
Origin: English, French, German (derived from Louise)
Meaning: Famous warrior
62. Lulu
Origin: English, German, French (diminutive of Louise)
Meaning: Famous warrior
63. Lumi
Origin: Finnish
Meaning: Beauty and purity of snow
64. Luna
Origin: Italian
Meaning: Moon
65. Lydia
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Woman from Lydia
66. Lyn (or Lynne/ Lynn)
Origin: English
Meaning: Waterfall
What Mumsnetters say about girl names beginning with L
“Liv is name in its own right. It’s has a totally different etymology to Olivia.” - Mumsnet user, toastofthetown
"My granddaughter is Luna so I'm biased.” - Mumsnet user, grayhairdontcare
Boy names beginning with L
67. Lachlan
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Meaning: From the land of the lakes or lochs
68. Laird
Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Historically refers to a landowner
69. Lance
Origin: French
Meaning: Spear
70. Landon
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Long hill
71. Lars
Origin: Scandinavian, Germanic
Meaning: Crowned with laurel
72. Laurence (or Lawrence/Laurenz/Lorenz)
Origin: English, Latin (derived from Laurel)
Origin: Bay laurel wreath, symbolising victory
73. Lazlo (or Laszlo)
Origin: Hungarian
Meaning: Glorious rule
74. Leander
Origin: English
Meaning: Lion man
75. Leandro
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Lion man
76. Leathan
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Meaning: River
77. Leif
Origin: Scandinavian
Meaning: Descendant, heir
78. Lekan
Origin: Yoruba
Meaning: My wealth is growing
79. Lennon
Origin: Irish
Meaning: Lover or sweetheart
80. Lennox
Origin: Scottish
Meaning: With many elm wreaths
81. Leo
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Lion
82. Leodis
Origin: Celtic
Meaning: From the grey fortress
83. Leon (or Leonn)
Origin: Greek, Latin
Meaning: Lion
84. Leopold
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Brave as a lion or brave people
85. Lerato
Origin: Latin, Sotho (Southern Africa)
Meaning: Love
86. Leroy
Origin: French
Meaning: The king
87. Levi
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Attached
88. Lewis
Origin: English, Scottish
Meaning: Famous warrior
89. Lex
Origin: Greek, Netherlands (derived from Alexander)
Meaning: Defender of man
90. Li
Origin: Chinese
Meaning: Strength
92. Liam
Origin: Irish
Meaning: Resolute protector
93. Lincoln
Origin: English
Meaning: Settlement by the pool
94. Linus
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Flax
95. Lior
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: My light or God’s gift of light
96. Llewellyn
Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Lion-like warrior
97. Logan
Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Small hollow
98. Lorcan
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Meaning: Fierce
99. Lorenzo
Origin: Italian
Meaning: Bay laurel wreath, symbolising victory
100. Lorne
Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Fox
101. Louis (or Louie)
Origin: French
Meaning: Renowned fighter
102. Lowell
Origin: English
Meaning: Young wolf
103. Luca
Origin: Italian
Meaning: Light
104. Lucas
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Bringer of light
105. Lucien (or Lucian)
Origin: French
Meaning: Light
106. Lucius
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Light or bright
107. Ludo (derived from Ludovicus)
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Famous warrior
108. Luigi
Origin: Italian
Meaning: Famous warrior
109. Luke
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Light or bringer of light
110. Luther
Origin: German
Meaning: Bringer of people
111. Lux
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Light
112. Lyall
Origin: Scottish, Old Norse
Meaning: Wolf
113. Lyle
Origin: English
Meaning: From the island
114. Lynton
Origin: English
Meaning: Settlement on a hill
115. Lysander
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Liberator of man
What Mumsnetters say about boy names beginning with L
“Leandro? I really like it and everyone would call him Leo - which is lovely. I actually wanted to use it myself but we are Irish so husband said no. If your husband is Spanish then it’s a perfect name- works great in English and all other languages.” - Mumsnet user, Elisemum
“LOVE Lucien! I would shorten it to Luc. It's lovely. Strong but gentle, classy and ancient.” - Mumsnet user, Mummysharkdoodoodoodoodoodoo
Gender-neutral names beginning with L
116. Lauri
Origin: Finnish
Meaning: Bay laurel wreath, symbolising victory
117. Laurie
Origin: English, Latin (derived from Laurel or Laurence/ Lawrence)
Origin: Bay laurel wreath, symbolising victory
118. Lee (or Leigh)
Origin: English
Meaning: A meadow
119. Lou
Origin: French (short for Louise/Louisa/Louis)
Meaning: Famous warrior
120. Lyric
Origin: English
Meaning: Referring to song lyrics
What Mumsnetters say about gender-neutral names beginning with L
“Please choose Laurie, it's great.” - Mumsnet user, choosyfloosy
How to choose a baby name beginning with L
Looking for a popular L name? There are several baby girl names beginning with l in the ONS top 100 for names in England and Wales. If you’re looking for the most popular Irish baby names, check the Central Statistics Office and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency for Irish names and the National Records of Scotland for Scottish names.
Check out names beginning with L which are mentioned in Mumsnet’s baby names articles, including most popular baby names, top baby boy names and top baby girl names.
Find out which names beginning with l are popular with other parents in the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.
Choose a royal baby name starting with L. Names including Louis, Lilibet and Leonora are all in use by current members of royal families, both in the UK and abroad.
Looking for a cute name or a cool name beginning with l? Short baby names for girls starting with l include Lily, Liv, Lottie and Lulu. For boys, short cool names beginning with L are Lars, Leo, Levi and Liam.
What is the best girls’ name that starts with L?
Lots of L names for girls are mentioned in the ONS top 100 list for baby names in England and Wales. For girls, these include: Layla, Lily, Lilly, Lola, Lottie, Lyla, Lyra, Lucy and Luna.
Overall, Lily is the most popular girl name beginning with L in England and Wales (at number 5), in Scotland (at number 11), in Northern Ireland (at number 6) and in the Republic of Ireland (at number 5).
What is the best boys’ name that starts with L?
Lots of L names are mentioned in the ONS top 100 list for baby names in England and Wales. For boys, the most popular names beginning with L in England and Wales are Leo, Louie, Louis, Luca and Lucas.
The overall most popular L name for boys overall in England and Wales is Leo, at number 5, according to the most recent stats for England and Wales (released in May 2024).
However, the latest figures for Scotland, which were released by National Records of Scotland at the end of March 2024, show that another L name, Luca, has hit the top of Scotland’s boy names chart at number one. This means that Luca is not only the most popular boy name beginning with L in Scotland, it’s the overall most popular name given to boys in Scotland in 2023.
Leo and Luca are also very popular in Northern Ireland, according to the most recent stats from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, released 16 April 2024. In Northern Ireland, Leo stands at number 6 while Luca is at number 9.
In the Republic of Ireland, where the most recent stats are from 2022, a traditional Irish name is the most popular name beginning with L for baby boys - Liam stands at number 8.
What are rare names that start with L?
A rare name for boys beginning with L is Lex, which stands outside the top 1000 in the baby name rankings in England and Wales. Short and snappy - with a quirky DC Comics association (as long as you don’t mind having cartoon supervillain Lex Luther as a namesake). Hailing from the Netherlands, Lex is derived from the Greek name Alexander, which means ‘defender of man’.
If you like Lex, you also might like Lux. This cool, short Greek name simply means ‘light’ and it stands well outside the top 1500 for boys in the rankings for England and Wales.
Looking for a really rare girl name beginning with L? How about Lisette (or Lizette), a French variation on a Hebrew classic meaning God is my oath. The Lisette spelling is ranked outside the top 3000 in the official charts, while the Lizette spelling doesn’t actually feature on any rankings for England and Wales.
A quirky twist on the traditional Elizabeth derivatives, like Liz and Lizzie, Lisette or Lizette both sound modern and fresh and you’re unlikely to bump into another one at your nearest baby rhyme time group. Along similar lines, you could also consider Lizanne, another rare name which doesn’t feature on the rankings for England and Wales. With Hebrew and Afrikaans (South Africa) origins, it’s also derived from Elizabeth and means God is my oath and grace.
About the author
Louise Baty writes parenting content for Mumsnet, producing product round-ups, travel guides and baby name articles. She’s also written content for Mumsnet’s sister site, Gransnet.
Originally from West Yorkshire and now based in Nottinghamshire, Louise has worked as a features writer for consumer magazines and national newspapers for 20 years. She specialises in parenting and lifestyle features and emotional true life first-person interviews and has authored four non-fiction books on parenting and grandparenting.
Mum to two tweenagers, Louise’s own baby name choosing days may be long gone. However, she admits to having spent a LONG time deciding on her DCs’ names, together with her DP.
For this reason, Louise has a particular interest in baby names. She understands how difficult it can be to narrow down a short list from your long list of baby names, either during pregnancy or during the sleep-deprived days following the birth of your baby.
By compiling comprehensive and easy-to-follow baby name round-ups for Mumsnet, she hopes to provide inspiration and support to parents-to-be who are looking for the perfect name for their baby.
