| Meaning | light |
| Origin | German, Greek |
| Gender | Girl |
| Popularity | Moderate |
| Length | 4 |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Syllabification | Le-ni |
Pure charm concentrates itself in Leni, a four-letter name that proves brevity and beauty coexist perfectly. The two syllables flow together with effortless grace, creating a sound that feels both playful and sophisticated depending on context. This increasingly popular choice appeals to parents drawn to European naming traditions, particularly German and Italian influences, while remaining perfectly functional in English-speaking environments.
Leni's compact structure makes it ideal for longer surnames, preventing the awkward imbalance that occurs when lengthy first names meet substantial family names. The name works wonderfully as a standalone choice or as a nickname for longer options, offering flexibility as your daughter determines her preferred identity.
Its youthful energy suits childhood naturally while possessing enough substance to transition smoothly into adulthood. Leni suggests someone spirited, creative, and refreshingly unpretentious—qualities that endear rather than intimidate. The name's rising popularity reflects growing appreciation for short, sweet names that deliver maximum impact with minimum fuss.
| Lena |
| Lene |
| Léni |
| Lee |
| Len |
| Nie |
| Nini |
| Lenny |
| Leni Riefenstahl | German film director and actress |
| Leni Björklund | Swedish Olympic figure skater |
| Leni Esparza | American actress |
| Leni Lan Yan | Chinese-American entrepreneur and fashion designer |
| Leni Larsen Kaurin | Norwegian Paralympic athlete |
| Leni Stern | German jazz guitarist and singer |
| Leni Fischer | German operatic soprano |
| Leni Funk | German tennis player |
| Leni Apisai | Fijian rugby player |
| Leni Valenta | American writer and journalist |
| Leni Parker | Canadian actress |
| Leni Alexander | American painter and sculptor |
| Leni Junker | German track cyclist |
| Leni Katajarvi | Finnish musician and composer |
| Leni Gasper | Australian actress and comedian |
| Leni Matlin | American actress and advocate for the deaf community |
| Leni Köhler | German field hockey player |
| Leni Robredo | Filipino politician and Vice President of the Philippines |
| Leni Travers | French alpine skier |
| Leni Anderson | Character from the TV show "Grey's Anatomy" |
| Leni Loud | Character from the animated series "The Loud House" |
| Leni Zinoviyeva | Character from the novel "Doctor Zhivago" by Boris Pasternak |
| Leni Hayes | Character from the TV series "Stranger Things" |
| Leni Parker | Character from the movie "Poltergeist III" |
| Leni Bizarro | Character from the TV series "DC Super Hero Girls" |
| Leni Vogel | Character from the TV series "Berlin Station" |
| Leni Riefenstahl | Character from the film "The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl" |
| Leni Jordaan | Character from the novel "The Covenant" by James A. Michener |