Lean
Every Lean since 1916 — 892 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Lean
Lean is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1916, 892 American babies have been named Lean — about 75% girls and 25% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1985, when 27 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Lean stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Lean year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 16 | #5,744 |
| 2024 | — | — | 14 | #6,352 |
| 2023 | 6 | #14,414 | 9 | #8,640 |
| 2022 | 5 | #16,676 | 8 | #9,496 |
| 2021 | — | — | 14 | #6,209 |
| 2020 | 7 | #12,898 | 7 | #10,175 |
| 2019 | 6 | #14,814 | 14 | #6,285 |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | 10 | #10,399 | 8 | #9,362 |
| 2016 | 8 | #12,393 | 8 | #9,352 |
| 2015 | 7 | #13,847 | 14 | #6,168 |
| 2014 | 6 | #15,724 | 16 | #5,617 |
| 2013 | 9 | #11,547 | 8 | #9,308 |
| 2012 | 7 | #14,365 | 10 | #7,900 |
| 2011 | 6 | #15,934 | 8 | #9,270 |
| 2010 | 17 | #7,378 | — | — |
| 2009 | 7 | #14,573 | 7 | #10,551 |
| 2008 | 8 | #13,280 | 6 | #11,971 |
| 2007 | 13 | #9,315 | — | — |
| 2006 | 8 | #13,070 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | 9 | #11,230 | — | — |
| 2003 | 5 | #17,239 | — | — |
| 2002 | 5 | #16,987 | 5 | #11,752 |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | 6 | #14,197 | — | — |
| 1995 | 7 | #11,210 | — | — |
| 1990 | 10 | #8,240 | — | — |
| 1985 | 27 | #3,294 | — | — |
| 1980 | 17 | #4,427 | — | — |
| 1975 | 6 | #8,564 | — | — |
| 1970 | 14 | #4,150 | — | — |
| 1965 | 8 | #5,080 | — | — |
| 1960 | 8 | #4,979 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | 5 | #4,310 |
| 1925 | — | — | 5 | #4,604 |
| 1920 | — | — | 5 | #4,669 |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Lean in 2025?
Lean did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Lean?
892 babies have been named Lean in the United States since 1916, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Lean most popular?
Lean peaked in 1985, when 27 newborns received the name.
Is Lean a boy or girl name?
Lean is used for both: about 75% of babies named Lean have been girls and 25% boys.
Is the name Lean rising or falling?
Lean is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.