Leroy
Fact sheet
- Name
- Leroy
- Gender
- Boy name
- Syllables
- 2
Leroy is an English first name for boys that has its origins in the Old French expression "Le Roy", meaning "the king". This nickname originally developed into a surname and later also into the first name Leroy. Although it comes from French, the name is particularly widespread in the English-speaking world, especially in the USA.
What does the name Leroy mean?
The name Leroy is a boy's name of English origin, which goes back to the Old French nickname "Le Roy" and carries the meaning "the king". From this nickname, a surname initially developed before it was used as a first name. In the USA, the spelling "LeRoy" can also be found. Additional variants of the name are Leroi and Leeroy, while the English diminutives are Lee and Roy. In Germany, Leroy was long a rather rare name, but it is now enjoying growing popularity. A well-known bearer of this name is the German football player Leroy Sané.
Where does the name Leroy come from?
The first name Leroy comes from Old French and means "the king".
How do you pronounce Leroy?
The pronunciation of Leroy is distinctive and two-syllable. In German, the name is usually pronounced as "Le-roy" [ləˈʁɔɪ̯] or Germanized as "Li-roy". The first syllable is short and bright, while the second syllable features the diphthong "-oy" with an emphasized sound movement. A rolled or soft R adds depth to the name. Thus, Leroy sounds dynamic and urban, rhythmic and present, with a characteristic ending.
Popularity
In Germany, Leroy is among the popular first names and currently ranks 1,212th on the list of the most common male first names. Its best placement was in 2005, when it ranked 579th. In the last ten years, Leroy has been given as a first name about 470 times, securing it the 905th place in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, it ranks 956th.
Nicknames & pet names
Lechen / Lee / Leelo / Leri / Lerry / Lery / Roy / RoyLee / Schlero
Famous people
- Leroy Anderson (American composer)
- Leroy Burrell (American athlete and Olympic champion)
- Leroy Jenkins (famous gnome from WoW)
- Leroy Jethro Gibbs (hero in the US series "Navy CIS")
- Leroy Randle Grumman (American aircraft designer and entrepreneur)
- Leroy Sané (footballer (Schalke 04))
- Samuel Leroy Jackson (actor (Samuel L. Jackson))
Frequently asked questions about the name Leroy
What is the origin of the name Leroy?
The first name Leroy has its roots in Old French and is composed of the words 'le' (the) and 'roy' (king).
What does the name Leroy mean?
Leroy means 'the king' and originally comes from an Old French nickname.
How popular is the name Leroy in Germany?
Although Leroy was a rare name for a long time, it is now enjoying increasing popularity in Germany.