Lean
Fact sheet
- Name
- Lean
- Gender
- Boy name
- Syllables
- 1
The first name Lean functions both as a short form of Leander and Leandro as well as an Irish variant of Helene, known in English as Helen.
What does the name Lean mean?
Lean is primarily known as a male first name in German-speaking regions and represents a contemporary short form of Leander. Leander, in turn, is a Latinized version of the Greek name Leandros (Λέανδρος), whose meaning is 'man of the people' or 'man from the people'. This derivation traces back to the Ancient Greek words laós, leós for 'people' and anér, andrós for 'man'. As an Irish form of Helen, Lean or Léan also has Greek roots and means 'the shining', 'the radiant', or 'the moon'. Further details about its origin can be found on the name page for Helene. In Germany, Lean is mainly used as a boy's name, while the spelling Léan as a short form of Léandre also appears in French and English-speaking regions. As a girl's name, Lean in the form Léan is primarily found in Ireland, but is very rare in Germany.
Where does the name Lean come from?
The name Lean is derived from Ancient Greek and has both male and female meanings, including 'man of the people' and others. The Ancient Greek
How do you pronounce Lean?
The pronunciation of the name Lean is both monosyllabic and disyllabic and features a smooth transition. It is usually pronounced as 'Le-an' [ˈleːan], starting with a long, bright, and open E sound. This open vowel sequence gives Lean a lightness and modernity. The name appears reduced yet present – a clear sound line with a gentle aura.
When is the name day of Lean?
Lean, as a variant of Leander, celebrates its name day on March 13. As the Irish form of Helene, it is celebrated on April 26, May 21, August 18, and November 15.
Popularity
In Germany, Lean is among the popular first names, currently ranking 340th on the list of the most common male baby names. Its best placement was in 2019 at 261st. Over the last ten years, the name has been given about 2,400 times, placing it 297th in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, its position is at 317.
Nicknames & pet names
Lani / Lee / Len / Leni / Lenni
Similar first names
Famous people
- Lean Bergmann (ice hockey player)
- Lean Coetzer (South African artist)
Frequently asked questions about the name Lean
What is the origin of the name Lean?
The name Lean has its roots in Ancient Greek and is derived from Leander. It means both 'man of the people' and other female meanings.
What does the name Lean mean?
Lean is considered a modern short form of Leander, whose meaning is 'man of the people'. It also has connections to the Irish form of Helen and means 'the shining' or 'the moon'.
How popular is the name Lean?
In Germany, Lean is primarily used as a boy's name, while the spelling Léan is less common and predominantly used in Ireland as a girl's name.