Neutral names starting with L: Difference between revisions
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An alphabetical list of '''neutral names starting with L''', continued from the [[names]] page, which see for more information. These are neutral-gender names, otherwise known as unisex names. They are equally appropriate for girls, boys, and people of any gender. [[Nonbinary]] people don't have to have neutral names, and many [[notable nonbinary people]] have names that are usually either masculine or feminine. Neutral names can help make it safer for people to explore their gender expressions. In English-speaking countries, some of the most familiar gender-neutral names starting with L include Lee, Leslie, Lex, and Lynn. However, there are many more unisex names from around the world that start with L, more than | An alphabetical list of '''neutral names starting with L''', continued from the [[names]] page, which see for more information. These are neutral-gender names, otherwise known as unisex names. They are equally appropriate for girls, boys, and people of any gender. [[Nonbinary]] people don't have to have neutral names, and many [[notable nonbinary people]] have names that are usually either masculine or feminine. Neutral names can help make it safer for people to explore their gender expressions. In English-speaking countries, some of the most familiar gender-neutral names starting with L include Laramie, Laverne, Lee, Leslie, Lex, and Lynn. However, there are many more unisex names from around the world that start with L, more than 40 of them, as listed below. Previous page: [[neutral names starting with K]]. Next page: [[neutral names starting with M]]. | ||
== The list == | == The list == | ||
''' | '''Lacy'''. English. A gender neutral name, from the surname Lacy, from the place name Lassy, a town in Normandy.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lacy</ref> United States Social Security Administration data shows about 15,360 people with this given name, and show it is used as a feminine name 77% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LA/LACY/index.html</ref> Keywords: clothing, modern, places, style, two syllables | ||
''' | '''Lake'''. English. A gender neutral name, from the English word ''lake'', meaning "An inland body of water" in English, ultimately from Latin ''lacus''.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lake</ref> Keywords: extraordinary, one syllable, water | ||
''' | '''Laken'''. English. A gender neutral name, from an elaboration of the English word "lake."<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/laken/submitted</ref> US SSA data shows about 5,068 people with this name, and it is used as a masculine name 83% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LA/LAKEN/index.html</ref> Keywords: two syllables, uncommon, water | ||
'''Landry'''. English and French. A gender neutral variant of the ancient Germanic masculine name Landric, meaning "Land ruler." Saint Landry of Sées was a French bishop of the 5th century.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/landry/submitted</ref><ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/landric/submitted</ref> Keywords: extraordinary, saint name, two syllables | |||
'''Lane'''. English. From the surname. Meaning "Someone who lives near a lane or a path." Although it is traditionally masculine,<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lane</ref> US SSA data shows about 33,083 people named Lane, and it is used as a masculine name only 89% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LA/LANE/index.html</ref> A variant is '''Layne'''.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/layne</ref> SSA data shows about 12,541 people named Layne, and it is used as a masculine name 72% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LA/LAYNE/index.html</ref> Keywords: common | |||
'''Lành'''. Vietnamese. Gender neutral. Meaning "Good, favorable, gentle."<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/la11nh</ref> Keywords: extraordinary, one syllable | |||
'''Laramie'''. American English. From several place names in the US state of Wyoming, which themselves were named after the French surname LaRamie.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/laramie/submitted</ref> US SSA data shows about 1,593 people with this name, and it is used as a masculine name 57% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LA/LARAMIE/index.html</ref> Keywords: modern, neutral inclined, places, three syllables, uncommon | |||
'''Lark'''. English. Meaning "the type of songbird called a lark" in English.<ref>https://www.20000-names.com/androgynous_names_unisex_names_03.htm</ref> Another meaning of ''lark'' in English is "a source of or quest for amusement or adventure," or "to engage in harmless fun or mischief."<ref>https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lark</ref> US SSA data shows about 1,313 people with this name, and it is used as a feminine name 88% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LA/LANE/index.html</ref> Keywords: air, animals, birds, cute, feminine inclined, light-hearted, mischief, music, one syllable, uncommon | |||
'''Larue'''. American English. Etymology uncertain.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/larue/submitted</ref> US SSA data shows about 2,363 people with this name, and it is used as a masculine name 72% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LA/LARUE/index.html</ref> Keywords: two syllable | |||
'''Lashawn'''. African American. A neutral name derived from the English masculine name Shawn,<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lashawn</ref> which in turn comes from the Irish masculine name Seán,<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/sea10n</ref> from the English masculine name John, from the Latin masculine name Iohannes, from the Greek masculine name Ioannes (Ἰωάννης), ultimately from the Hebrew masculine name Yochanan (יוֹחָנָן), meaning "God is gracious."<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/john</ref> US SSA data shows about 9,894 people with this name, and it is used as a masculine name 73% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LA/LASHAWN/index.html</ref> Keywords: two syllables, uncommon | |||
'''Lave'''. Swedish. A neutral variant of the Swedish masculine name Lage, which ultimately comes from the ancient Scandinavian name Félagi, meaning "Fellow, partner" in Old Norse. Lave is also a neutral variant of the Swedish feminine name Lava, which ultimately comes from the Old Norse masculine name ''Áleifr'', meaning "ancestor's descendant." Lave is pronounced "LAH-veh."<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lave/submitted</ref><ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/olaf</ref><ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/fe10lagi</ref> Keywords: extraordinary, two syllables | |||
'''Laverne'''. English. A neutral name, from a surname that was derived from a French place name, ultimately derived from the Gaulish word "vern" meaning "alder tree". The word may also be connected with Laverna, the Roman goddess of thieves, or the Latin word ''vernus'' ("of spring").<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/laverne</ref> Variant: '''Lavern'''. US SSA data shows about 8,512 people named Lavern, and it is used as a masculine name 57% of the time,<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LA/LASHAWN/index.html</ref> whereas with the spelling Laverne, there are about 26,166 people, 78% feminine.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LA/LAVERNE/index.html</ref> Keywords: common, deities, mischief, mythology, neutral inclined, places, plants, seasons, trees, two syllables | |||
'''Lavi''' (לָבִיא). Hebrew. Masculine, possibly neutral. Meaning "Lion."<ref name="2knames">https://www.20000-names.com/androgynous_names_unisex_names_03.htm</ref><ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lavi</ref> Keywords: animals, extraordinary, two syllables | |||
'''Lee'''. English. A neutral name, from a surname, from many place names. Meaning "a clearing, meadow, or glade" in Old English. This same word appears in many gender neutral names that are derived from surnames and places.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lee</ref><ref>https://www.20000-names.com/androgynous_names_unisex_names_03.htm</ref> US SSA data shows about 188,941 people with this name, and it is used as a masculine name 77% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LE/LEE/index.html</ref> [[Nonbinary characters in fiction]] bearing this name include Lee Serano in issue #19 of ''Supergirl''.<ref name="LeeSerano">{{Cite web |title=Meet Lee Serrano, a Non-Binary Highschool Character Appearing in Today's Supergirl (Spoilers) |last=Johnston |first=Rich |work=Bleeding Cool News And Rumors |date=14 March 2018 |access-date=15 November 2020 |url= https://bleedingcool.com/comics/lee-serrano-non-binary-highschool-supergirl-spoilers/}}</ref> Keywords: places, one syllable, very common | |||
'''Léonide'''. French. A French neutral form of the Greek masculine name Leonidas (Λεωνίδας). Meaning "Son of Leon; lion's son."<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/le10onide</ref><ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/leonidas</ref> In France, this name was in use from 1900 to 1940, slightly more as a feminine name, but as a masculine name as well.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/le10onide/top/france</ref> Keywords: animals, Edwardian era, fire, extraordinary, old-fashioned, three syllables | |||
'''Lennon'''. English. This was first adapted into a masculine given name in the 2000s, and then started to be used as a feminine name as well in the 2010s. From an Irish surname, an Anglicized form of Ó Leannáin. Meaning "Descendant of Leannán" in Irish. Leannán means "Lover" in Irish.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lennon</ref> US SSA data shows about 4,246 people with this name, and it is used as a masculine name 76% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LE/LENNON/index.html</ref> Keywords: modern, love, two syllables, uncommon | |||
'''Lennox'''. English. This was first adapted into a neutral given name in the 2010s. From a Scottish surname, from a district in Scotland, called Leamhnachd, possibly meaning "Place of elm trees" in Gaelic.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lennox</ref> US SSA data shows about 2,427 people with this name, and it is used as a masculine name 83% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LE/LENNOX/index.html</ref> Keywords: modern, uncommon | |||
'''Leslie'''. English. This has been a given name since before the 1880s, when it was chiefly masculine. In the US and Canada in the 1940s, feminine use became just as common as masculine use. After that, it became less commonly used as a masculine name. From a Scottish surname, from a Scottish place name. Possibly meaning "Garden of holly trees" in Gaelic.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/leslie</ref> Variants: '''Lesley''', '''Lesly'''. Short form: '''Les'''. US SSA data shows about 309,224 people named Leslie, and it is used as a feminine name 73% of the time;<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LE/LESLIE/index.html</ref> with the spelling Lesley, there are about 35,248 people, 88% feminine.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LE/LESLEY/index.html</ref> [[Notable nonbinary people]] with this name include the American revolutionary communist [[Leslie Feinberg]] (1949-2014).<ref>https://nonbinary.wiki/wiki/Leslie_Feinberg</ref> Keywords: one syllable, very common, two syllables | |||
'''Lex'''. English. A short form of the gender neutral name Alex, or the gender neutral name Lexington, which see. In official records, the name Lex is strictly masculine, but it likely has more use as a neutral nickname.<ref name="2knames" /><ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lex</ref> US SSA data shows about 2,471 people with this name.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LE/LEX/index.html</ref> Keywords: one syllable, uncommon | |||
'''Lexington'''. US SSA data shows about 1,006 people with this name, and it is used as a feminine name 62% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LE/LEXINGTON/index.html</ref> Keywords: neutral inclined, three syllables, uncommon | |||
'''Li''' (לִי). Hebrew. A neutral name. Meaning "To me."<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/li-2</ref><ref name="2knames" /> Keywords: extraordinary, one syllable | |||
'''Limbani'''. Southern African, Chewa. Meaning "Be strong" in Chewa.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/limbani</ref> Keywords: courage, extraordinary, strength, three syllables, virtue | |||
'''Limbikani'''. Southern African, Chewa. Meaning "work hard" in Chewa.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/limbikani</ref> Keywords: extraordinary, four syllables, strength, virtue | |||
'''Limon''' or '''Lemon'''. American English. A modern neutral name. From the English surname Lemon. This comes from a medieval Middle English masculine name, Leofman. In turn, this comes from an Anglo-Saxon masculine name, Leofman, meaning "Beloved" in Old English. In terms of etymology, the similarity to the modern English word for the citrus fruit is coincidental.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lemon/submitted</ref><ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/limon/submitted</ref><ref>https://surnames.behindthename.com/name/lemon/submitted</ref><ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lefman/submitted</ref><ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/leofman/submitted</ref> Keywords: affection, cute, extraordinary, food, light-hearted, love, modern, plants, two syllables | |||
'''Lin'''. Chinese. A neutral name. Meaning depends on the characters used to write it with the same pronunciation. Some options include "forest" (林 lín), or "fine jade, gem" (琳 lín).<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lin</ref> US SSA data shows about 1,426 people with this name, and it is used as a feminine name 55% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LI/LIN/index.html</ref> Keywords: earth, neutral inclined, one syllable, uncommon | |||
''' | '''Lindley'''. English. A neutral name. From the English surname Lindley, from the place name. Meaning "Lime tree glade."<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lindley/submitted</ref><ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lindley/submitted</ref> US SSA data shows about 999 people with this name, and it is used as a feminine name 57% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LI/LINDLEY/index.html</ref> Keywords: neutral inclined, plants, rare | ||
'''Lindsay'''. English and Scottish. This was usually a masculine name until the 1960s and 70s, in which it came to be a feminine name as well. From an English and Scottish surname, from the place name, meaning "Lincoln Island" in Old English.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lindsay</ref> US SSA data shows about 129,114 people with this name, and it is used as a feminine name 97% of the time, so it is now almost exclusively feminine.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LI/LINDLEY/index.html</ref> [[Notable nonbinary people]] with this name include American activist [[Lindsay Amer]].<ref name="Swartz">{{Cite web |title=Teaching Kids the ABCs of LGBTQ+ |last=Swartz |first=SB |work=shondaland.com |date=28 June 2018 |access-date=8 May 2020 |url= https://www.shondaland.com/live/a21968210/lindsay-amer-interview-queer-kid-stuff-channel/}}</ref> | |||
'''Lindy'''. English. From the Swedish surname Lindbergh.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lindy</ref> Potentially, short for other names containing ''lind''. US SSA data shows about 8,432 people with this name, and it is used as a feminine name 82% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LI/LINDY/index.html</ref> Keywords: feminine inclined, two syllables, uncommon | |||
'''Linh'''. Vietnamese. Meaning "Spirit, soul."<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/linh</ref> US SSA data shows about 1,528 people with this name, and it is used as a feminine name 88% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LI/LINH/index.html</ref> Keywords: feminine inclined, one syllable, uncommon | |||
'''Lior''' (לִיאוֹר). Hebrew. Meaning "Light for me." In Israel, during the 2010s, this had about 360 masculine uses, and 216 feminine uses.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lior</ref> US SSA data shows about 520 people with this name, and it is used as a masculine name 65% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LI/LIOR/index.html</ref> Keywords: light, neutral inclined, rare | |||
'''Liraz''' (לִירָז). Hebrew. Meaning "Secret for me" in Hebrew.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/liraz</ref> Keywords: extraordinary, mysterious, two syllables | |||
'''Liron''' (לִירוֹן). Hebrew. Meaning "Song for me" or "Joy for me" in Hebrew.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/liron</ref> US SSA data shows about 106 people with this name, and it is used as a masculine name 62% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LI/LIRON/index.html</ref> Keywords: happiness, light-hearted, neutral inclined, very rare | |||
'''Lively'''. English. A gender-neutral Puritan name. Meaning "Full of life, energy." Referring to spiritual manifestations.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lively/submitted</ref> Keywords: extraordinary, spiritual, two syllables | |||
''' | '''London'''. English. This became a gender-neutral given name in the 1990s. From the name of the capital city of the United Kingdom.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/london</ref> US SSA data shows about 30,510 people with this name, and it is used as a feminine name 80% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LO/LONDON/index.html</ref> Keywords: cities, common, feminine inclined, two syllables | ||
'''Lauren'''. English. This is considered a gender neutral name, since it was used as a masculine name during most of the 20th century, but statistically, Lauren has been used as a feminine name 99% of the time, especially since it spiked in popularity in the 1980s.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lauren/top/united-states</ref><ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LA/LAUREN/index.html</ref> Lauren and Lawrence come from the Roman name Laurentius, meaning "From the city of Laurentum in Italy." In turn, the city was named for ''laurus'', the plant laurel, which symbolized triumph to the Romans.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/laurence-1</ref> Some variants of Lauren are statistically more gender-neutral today. '''Loren''' was masculine during the 19th century, but in the 1960s, it started to be used as a feminine name as well. Loren is short for the masculine name Laurence, or a variant of Lauren.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/loren</ref> US SSA data shows about 40,205 people named Loren, and it is used as a masculine name 79% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LO/LOREN/index.html</ref> For the variant '''Lorin''',<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lorin</ref> SSA data shows about 5,381 people, a masculine name 63% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LO/LORIN/index.html</ref> For the variant '''Lorrin''',<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lorrin</ref> SSA data shows about 368 people, 53% feminine.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LO/LORRIN/index.html</ref> Keywords: two syllables, very common. [[Notable nonbinary people]] with this name include the filmmaker and athlete [[Lauren Lubin]].<ref name="pbs">{{Cite web |title=First Person {{!}} We Run: Non-Binary Inclusion in Sports |author= |work=PBS.org |date=19 October 2015 |access-date=23 June 2020 |url= https://www.pbs.org/video/first-person-we-run-non-binary-inclusion-sports/}}</ref> | |||
'''Louvain'''. English. From the place name, the city of Leuven in Belgium.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/louvain/submitted</ref> Keywords: extraordinary, two syllables | |||
'''Love'''. English. This was used as a gender-neutral name in the Victorian era. Simply the English word "love," from Old English ''lufu''.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/love-2</ref> US SSA data shows about 2,060 people with this name, and it is used as a feminine name 79% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LO/LOVE/index.html</ref> Keywords: affection, light-hearted, love, one syllable, uncommon, Victorian era | |||
'''Lucrèce'''. French. This had some use as a gender neutral name in France during the 1930s. A French neutral form of Roman feminine Lucretia and Roman masculine Lucretius. Meaning "Profit, wealth."<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lucre11ce</ref><ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lucretia</ref> Keywords: extraordinary, two syllables | |||
'''Lucky'''. English. Meaning "Fortunate."<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lucky</ref> US SSA data shows about 2,803 people with this name, and it is used as a masculine name 87% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LU/LUCKY/index.html</ref> Keywords: masculine inclined, uncommon | |||
'''Lungile'''. Southern African, Zulu, Ndebele. Meaning "Correct, right, good" in Zulu and Ndebele.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lungile</ref> | |||
'''Lupe'''. Native American, American Spanish. A common gender-neutral name in the Hispanic and Latinx community. Short for Guadalupe. Named after Our Lady of Guadalupe, referring to a legendary event in the 16th century, in Guadalupe, Mexico. The Virgin Mary appeared in a vision to a native Mexican man, looking like a native Mexican person herself, and speaking his native Mexican language, Nahuatl. Today, she is known as the patron saint of the Americas. The name of the place where she appeared, Guadalupe, is thought to come from the Arabic word ''wadi'' (وادي) meaning "valley, river," and the Latin word ''lupus'', "wolf." That is, "Valley of the wolf."<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lupe</ref><ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/guadalupe</ref> US SSA data shows about 14,950 people with this name, and it is used as a feminine name 77% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LU/LUCKY/index.html</ref> More people may go by Lupe as a nickname than official records show. Keywords: Catholic, Christian, common, Hispanic, Latinx, renaissance, saints, two syllables | |||
'''Lux'''. Netherlands. A gender-neutral name in the 2010s. Meaning "Light" in Latin.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lux</ref> Keywords: extraordinary, light, one syllable | |||
'''Lynn.''' English. This name was originally masculine. Then, starting in the 1890s, this started to be used as a feminine name as well. It was a neutral name for most of the 20th century. It was at its most neutral in the 1930s and 1940s. From the surname, from the place name. Meaning “From the Lake.”<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lynn</ref> US SSA data shows about 194,878 people named Lynn, and it is used as a feminine name 79% of the time,<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LY/LYNN/index.html</ref> which is fairly neutral, whereas the spelling variant Lynne is 99% feminine, and not neutral.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LY/LYNNE/index.html</ref> Keywords: one syllable, very common | |||
'''Lyric'''. English. This originated as a feminine given name in the 1990s, and then started to be used as a masculine name as well in the 2000s. Simply meaning "Song lyric" in English.<ref>https://www.behindthename.com/name/lyric</ref> US SSA data shows about 12,806 people with this name, and it is used as a feminine name 83% of the time.<ref>https://www.mynamestats.com/First-Names/L/LY/LYRIC/index.html</ref> Keywords: common, feminine inclined, music, two syllables | |||
''' | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||