AHEAD: The ultimate list of L names for boys—plus their meanings and popularity.
If you’re looking for a cool boys’ name starting with the letter L, you’re in the right place!
Below, I’ve rounded up every single L name that’s even the slightest bit modern and cool.
For each name, you’ll find its meaning and current popularity—which will hopefully help you narrow down your list of favorites.
There are 52 “L” names ranking in the top 1000.
There are also a bunch of other fantastic L names that are more rare (without being too out there).
Feel free to use the Table of Contents to jump to a specific style, or keep on scrolling and view all of these cool boys’ names starting with the letter L.
Related: L Names for Girls
Popular boy names that start with L
Kicking off our list of “L” names with some cool monikers that are popular in the United States right now. All of these are in the top 200.
Legend
- Name meaning: A story from the past.
- Popularity: #127
Leo
- Name meaning: Lion.
- Popularity: #36
Leon
- Name meaning: Greek version of Leo, meaning Lion.
- Popularity: #196
Levi
- Name meaning: Joined.
- Popularity: #18
- Name meaning: Will. Resolution. Helmet. Protector.
- Popularity: #1
Lincoln
- Name meaning: Town by the pool or settler by the lake.
- Popularity: #40
Luca or Luka or Lucca
- Name meaning: Italian version of Luke, meaning man from Lucania, a historical region of Southern Italy.
- Popularity: Luca ranks #67, Luka is #163, and Lucca is #457.
Lucas or Lukas
- Name meaning: Man from Lucania, a historical region of Southern Italy.
- Popularity: Lucas ranks #8 and Lukas is #218.
Luis or Louis or Lewis
- Name meaning: Warrior or knight.
- Popularity: Luis ranks #137, Louis is #260, and Lewis ranks #498.
Luke
- Name meaning: Man from Lucania, a historical region of Southern Italy.
- Popularity: #31
If you like these popular boy names that start with L you’ll also like this list of southern names.
Gender-neutral “L” names
All of these L names would work for a boy or a girl.
Landon or Landen or Landyn
- Name meaning: Long hill.
- Popularity: Landon ranks #68, Landen is #589, and Landyn is #622. None of these are currently ranking for girls.
Landry
- Name meaning: Powerful land ruler.
- Popularity: This royal name ranks #953 for boys and #879 for girls.
Lane or Layne
- Name meaning: Path.
- Popularity: For boys, Lane ranks #256 and Layne is #668. For girls, Lane isn’t ranking and Layne ranks #920.
Layton or Leighton
- Name meaning: Town by the meadow.
- Popularity: For boys, Layton ranks #620 and Leighton is #740. For girls, Layton isn’t ranking and Leighton ranks #400.
Lee
- Name meaning: Meadow.
- Popularity: Lee ranks #768 for boys and isn’t ranking for girls. (Neither is Leigh).
Legacy
- Name meaning: Passed down from a predecessor.
- Popularity: This name ranks #767 for boys and #500 for girls.
Lennon
- Name meaning: Lover, blackbird, cloak.
- Popularity: This unique baby name ranks #688 for boys and #299 for girls.
Lennox
- Name meaning: Elm field.
- Popularity: This name ranks #291 for boys and #587 for girls.
Logan
- Name meaning: Little hollow.
- Popularity: Logan ranks #16 for boys and #317 for girls.
London
- Name meaning: From the great river. The capital of England and the United Kingdom.
- Popularity: London ranks #872 for boys. For girls, Londyn ranks #162 and London is #195.
Lyric
- Name meaning: Lyre (harp-like instrument). Words to a song.
- Popularity: This name ranks #959 for boys and #412 for girls.
If you like these gender-neutral names that start with the letter L you’ll also like this list of nonbinary names.
Cool “L” names
These boys’ names starting with L are perfect if you want something a little edgy but not too far out there.
Lake
- Name meaning: Body of water.
- Popularity: This neutral name isn’t ranking.
Lance
- Name meaning: Land or territory.
- Popularity: #757
Lawson
- Name meaning: Son of Lawrence.
- Popularity: #357
Ledger
- Name meaning: Tribe + spear.
- Popularity: #626
Leif
- Name meaning: Heir or descendant.
- Popularity: #917
Leonel
- Name meaning: Young lion.
- Popularity: #344
Levin or Levon
- Name meaning: Dear friend.
- Popularity: Neither spelling of this name is ranking.
Lex
- Name meaning: Short for Alexander, meaning defender.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking.
Linden or Lyndon
- Name meaning: Hill of linden trees.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Lyle
- Name meaning: Island dweller.
- Popularity: This name last ranked in 2019.
Lynx
- Name meaning: A wild cat with a short tail and tufted ears. A constellation.
- Popularity: This neutral name isn’t ranking.
If you like these cool boy names that start with L you’ll also like this list of edgy names.
Old-fashioned “L” names
These old-school boy names that start with L bring back the magic of another era.
Related: Vintage Girl Names
Lachlan or Lochlan
- Name meaning: War-like. Lake land.
- Popularity: Lachlan ranks #702 and Lochlan is #727.
Langston
- Name meaning: Tall stone. Long town.
- Popularity: #695
Lawrence or Larry
- Name meaning: Person from Laurentum, an ancient Roman city.
- Popularity: Lawrence ranks #564 and Larry is #842.
Leander
- Name meaning: Lion man.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Leland
- Name meaning: Cultivated land.
- Popularity: #473
Leonard
- Name meaning: Brave or strong lion.
- Popularity: #634
Leopold
- Name meaning: Brave people.
- Popularity: This German boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Leroy
- Name meaning: The king.
- Popularity: #930
Lester
- Name meaning: Leicester is a city in England.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Lionel
- Name meaning: Young lion.
- Popularity: #660
Louie
- Name meaning: Warrior or knight.
- Popularity: #771
Lucian
- Name meaning: Light.
- Popularity: #639
If you like these old-fashioned boy names that start with L you might also like this list of 2-syllable names.
International “L” names
This next batch of boys’ L names comes from across the globe. These names are of Chinese, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish origin, respectively.
Related: Exotic Girl Names
Lanzo
- Name meaning: Land or territory.
- Popularity: This German boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Leandro
- Name meaning: Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian version of Leander, meaning lion man.
- Popularity: #642
Leonardo
- Name meaning: Italian and Spanish variation of Leonard, meaning brave lion.
- Popularity: #86
Leonidas
- Name meaning: Lion-like or son of a lion.
- Popularity: This Greek name ranks #455.
Lian
- Name meaning: A Chinese surname. Might also be short for Julian, meaning youthful.
- Popularity: #795
Lorenzo
- Name meaning: Italian version of Laurence, meaning person from Laurentum, an ancient Roman city.
- Popularity: #152
Luciano
- Name meaning: Italian version of Lucian, meaning light.
- Popularity: #412
Lyon
- Name meaning: Lion or brave. The third largest city in France.
- Popularity: This boys’ city name isn’t ranking.
If you like these international boy names that start with L you may also like this list of 3-syllable names.
Final thoughts on “L” boy names
Hopefully, you’ve found a few lead contenders on this list, or at least come away with some baby name inspiration.
Whether you prefer a name that’s popular, gender-neutral, old-fashioned, or of global origin, all of these boys’ names are fantastic choices.
Congratulations and good luck choosing the perfect name for your son!
Follow on Pinterest