Leigh is a unique and distinctive given name that originates from England. It is derived from an Old English word "leah", which means "woodland clearing". The name Leigh is often associated with places in England, such as the town of Leigh in Lancashire and the village of Leigh in Devon.
The name Leigh has been used historically for both males and females. In the Middle Ages, it was more commonly used for boys, but by the late 19th century, it had become more popular for girls. Today, Leigh is considered to be a unisex name, although it is still more commonly given to girls.
The meaning of the name Leigh is "woodland clearing", which gives it a nature-inspired and earthy feel. It is a simple yet elegant name that has been used by various notable individuals throughout history, such as the English poet John Leigh and the American actress Leigh Taylor-Young.
Overall, Leigh is a unique and distinctive given name with a rich history and an appealing meaning. Its unisex nature makes it suitable for parents who are looking for a name that is not too gender-specific, while its origins in Old English give it a sense of timelessness and tradition. Whether you're looking for a name for a boy or a girl, Leigh is certainly worth considering.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Leigh has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past century in the United States.
The earliest data available starts in 1912 with 9 births that year. The number of births fluctuated in the following years, with peaks in 1917 (10 births), 1923 (12 births), and 1924 (13 births). However, the popularity of the name Leigh began to increase notably in the late 1930s and early 1940s. In 1938, there were 22 births, a significant jump from the previous year's 18 births. This trend continued into the 1940s, with 35 births in 1941, 51 births in 1942, and peaking at 74 births in 1945.
The name Leigh reached its peak popularity between the mid-1950s to early 1960s. In 1953, there were 241 births, which more than doubled by 1956 with 611 births. The highest number of births recorded was in 1967 with 1342 births. However, this popularity was short-lived as the numbers began to decline steadily afterwards.
By the late 1980s and early 1990s, the popularity of Leigh had significantly decreased. In 1990, there were 522 births, which fell to 445 in 1991, 372 in 1993, and continued to decline thereafter. Since then, the number of births with the name Leigh has consistently been below 100 per year.
In recent years, from 2016 onwards, the popularity of Leigh seems to have stabilized, with numbers fluctuating between 37 and 64 births per year. As of 2023, there were 37 births recorded in the United States.
In conclusion, while Leigh was a popular name in the mid-20th century, its popularity has significantly declined over time. However, it remains a name that is still given to some babies each year in the United States.