Though you can follow any matter of pattern when choosing a baby name—whether it’s your favorite pop culture trend or your family’s origin story—one of the simpler tactics is going by letter. Take the letter “L,” for example. There are so many beautiful names that begin with this letter, both unique baby names and popular baby names.

Choosing a baby’s name based on a letter can be something for fun or can create a family of names that all work together seamlessly. If parents and siblings already have “L” names, then maybe the new addition should too! And if your last name begins with “L,” well, then it sounds like this might be a lucky letter for you all.

Lacey

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: From Lassey, France
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lacy
  • Famous Namesakes: Lacey Chabert, who starred in Mean Girls and Party of Five is a well-known actress with this name.
  • Peak Popularity: Lacey was a popular name in the 1980s, with its biggest year being 1984.

Lana

  • Origin: SlavicMeaning: LightFamous Namesakes: A few famous people have this name, including singer Lana Del Rey, actress Lana Condor, and director Lana Wachowski.Peak Popularity: Lana had its best year in 1948.

Lance

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: LandFamous Namesakes: Singer Lance Bass and professional cyclist Lance ArmstrongPeak Popularity: Lance was most popular in 1970, when it peaked at No. 76 on the Social Security Administration baby name list.

Landon

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: From the long hillAlternative Spellings & Variations: LandynPeak Popularity: The name Landon hit its stride at the turn of the century and has seen a lot of popularity in the 2000s.

Lane

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: From the laneAlternative Spellings & Variations: Laine, LayneFamous Namesakes: Though you can use Lane as a first name, it’s currently more common as a last name among celebrities like Nathan Lane or Diane Lane. Gilmore Girls’ Lane Kim is a fictifonal character with this name.Peak Popularity: Lane’s biggest year was 1995.

Langley

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: From the long meadowPeak Popularity: Langley hasn’t yet cracked the top 1,000 baby names, which means it’s especially unique.

Langston

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: From the tall man’s townFamous Namesakes: Poet Langston Hughes is one of the most famous people with this name.Peak Popularity: Langston has become a popular name in the 2000s.

Laurel

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: LaurelAlternative Spellings & Variations: Lauryl, Laura, LaurenPeak Popularity: Laurel saw its peak popularity in the 1940s and 1950s.

Laura

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: Laurel
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lauren, Laurel
  • Famous Namesakes: Laura is quite a popular name. Famous people with this name include actresses Laura Dern and Laura Linney, author Laura Ingalls Wilder, and former first lady Laura Bush.
  • Peak Popularity: Laura was a popular name in the 1960s when it regularly appeared in the top 100 names for baby girls.

Lawrence

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: LaurelAlternative Spellings & Variations: Laurence, LarryFamous Namesakes: Actors Laurence Fishburne and Laurence OlivierPeak Popularity: Lawrence is an old-fashioned name popular in the early 1900s through the 1950s.

Leah

  • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: Weary
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lia, Lea
  • Famous Namesakes: Actresses Leah Remini and Lea Michele
  • Peak Popularity: Leah was most popular in the early 2000s.

Leanne

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: MercifulAlternative Spellings & Variations: Leeanne, Leean, Leigh-Anne, Lee Ann, LeighanneFamous Namesakes: Singers Lee Ann Womack and Leigh-Anne PinnockPeak Popularity: Leanne peaked in 1966.

LeBron

  • Origin: French
  • Meaning: Brunette one
  • Famous Namesakes: NBA star LeBron James is the most famous person with this name.
  • Peak Popularity: LeBron hasn’t yet made the top 1,000 names for babies born in the US.

Lee

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: FieldAlternative Spellings & Variations: LeighFamous Namesakes: Actors Lee Majors and Lee PacePeak Popularity: Lee was in the top 100 names for baby boys from 1900 to 1955.

Leif

  • Origin: Scandinavian
  • Meaning: Heir
  • Famous Namesakes: Actors Leif Garrett and Leif Erikson
  • Peak Popularity: The best year for the name Leif was 1979.

Leila

  • Origin: Arabic
  • Meaning: Night
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Layla
  • Peak Popularity: Leila continues to grow in popularity with 2020 being its biggest year.

Lena

  • Origin: HebrewMeaning: Woman of MagdalaAlternative Spellings & Variations: LinaFamous Namesakes: Actresses Lena Headey and Lena DunhamPeak Popularity: Lena is a vintage name and was popular in the early 1900s.

Leo

  • Origin: LatinMeaning: LionAlternative Spellings & Variations: Leonard, LeonardoFamous Namesakes: Author Leo Tolstoy and actor Leonardo DiCaprioPeak Popularity: Leo was a popular name in the early 1900s but has grown in popularity again recently.

Leon

  • Origin: FrenchMeaning: LionAlternative Spellings & Variations: LeoFamous Namesakes: Singers Leon Bridges and Leon RussellPeak Popularity: Leon was popular in the 1920s.

Leslie

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: JoyAlternative Spellings & Variations: LesleyFamous Namesakes: Actors Leslie Nielsen and Leslie MannPeak Popularity: Leslie for baby girls peaked in 1981, and Leslie for baby boys peaked in 1902.

Levi

  • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: Joined in harmony
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Levee, Leveigh, Levy
  • Famous Namesakes: Businessman Levi Strauss was the creator of the Levi’s brand.
  • Peak Popularity: Levi has seen a burst of popularity in recent years, with 2020 being the best.

Lexi

  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Defender of the people
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Alex, Alexis, Alexandra, Lexie
  • Peak Popularity: Lexi peaked in 2010.

Liam

  • Origin: Irish
  • Meaning: With gilded helmet
  • Famous Namesakes: Actor Liam Hemsworth and singer Liam Payne
  • Peak Popularity: Liam has been the most popular name for baby boys since 2017.

Lily

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: Lily flower
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lilly
  • Famous Namesakes: Actresses Lily Tomlin and Lily Rabe, model Lily Aldridge, and singer Lily Allen
  • Peak Popularity: Lily has been a popular name since the turn of the century.

Lincoln

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: From the lake settlementFamous Namesakes: Former president Abraham Lincoln is one of the most famous people with this name, albeit last name, along with actor Andrew Lincoln.Peak Popularity: Lincoln’s been popular for the last few years.

Lindsay

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: From the lake settlement islandAlternative Spellings & Variations: LindseyFamous Namesakes: Actress Lindsay Lohan, skier Lindsey Vonn, and musician Lindsey BuckinghamPeak Popularity: Lindsay saw its peak in 1984.

Lisa

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: God is my oathAlternative Spellings & Variations: Leesa, LeisaFamous Namesakes: Lisa is a popular name shared among celebrities like Lisa Kudrow and Lisa Bonet, musicians Lisa Loeb and Lisa Marie Presley, and reality star Lisa Rinna.Peak Popularity: Lisa was the most popular name for baby girls born in 1962 through 1969.

Liv

  • Origin: ScandinavianMeaning: LifeAlternative Spellings & Variations: OliviaFamous Namesakes: Actress Liv Tyler is a well-known person with this short name.Peak Popularity: Liv has been growing in popularity over the last several years.

Liza

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: God is my oathAlternative Spellings & Variations: ElizaFamous Namesakes: Actress and singer Liza Minelli and actress Liza KoshyPeak Popularity: Liza peaked in 1973.

Logan

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: Little hollow
  • Famous Namesakes: Actors Logan Lerman and Logan Browning
  • Peak Popularity: Logan has been in the top 100 names for baby boys since 1991. It hasn’t been quite as popular for baby girls but peaked in the 1990s.

Lorelai

  • Origin: German
  • Meaning: Alluring enchantress
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lori, Rory
  • Famous Namesakes: Lorelai Gilmore, a character from the TV show Gilmore Girls
  • Peak Popularity: Lorelai has continued to gain popularity throughout the 2000s.

Louis

  • Origin: GermanMeaning: Famed warriorAlternative Spellings & Variations: LewisFamous Namesakes: Prince Louis of Cambridge and singer Louis TomlinsonPeak Popularity: Louis was popular in the early 1990s, peaking in 1914.

Luca

  • Origin: Italian
  • Meaning: Person from Lucania, Italy
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lucas
  • Famous Namesakes: Italian director Luca Guadiagnino is a well-known person with this name.
  • Peak Popularity: Luca continues to grow in popularity, with 2020 being its biggest year.

Lucas

  • Origin: GreekMeaning: Person from Lucania, ItalyAlternative Spellings & Variations: Luca, LukeFamous Namesakes: Plenty of famous people have the name Lucas or Luke, like actor Luke Wilson and singer Luke Bryan.Peak Popularity: Lucas has been in the top 100 baby names for boys since 1993.

Luciano

  • Origin: ItalianMeaning: LightFamous Namesakes: Musician Luciano Pavarotti is a well-known person with this name.Peak Popularity: Luciano peaked in 2020.

Lucy

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: LightAlternative Spellings & Variations: Luci, Lucille, LucieFamous Namesakes: Actresses Lucille Ball and Lucy LiuPeak Popularity: Lucy was popular in the early 1900s but has seen a gain in popularity in recent years as well.

Luisa

  • Origin: EnglishMeaning: Famous warriorAlternative Spellings & Variations: LouisaPeak Popularity: Luisa peaked in 1911.

Luna

  • Origin: Italian
  • Meaning: The moon
  • Peak Popularity: Luna hit its peak in 2020.

Lydia

  • Origin: GreekMeaning: From Lydia, GreecePeak Popularity: Lydia has grown in popularity in the 2000s.