Choosing a baby name is a big responsibility, and there are lots of ways to approach the task. One way to do it is to work your way through the alphabet — and that doesn’t always mean starting from the beginning.
If you’re drawn to the letter “L,” here are 50 baby names to consider, from Lachlan to Lois.
Lola
The Spanish name Lola is a diminutive of Dolores, but it’s established its position as a name in its own right, partly thanks to celebrity parents Kelly Ripa, Chris Rock and Lisa Bonet. It’s also the nickname of Madonna’s eldest daughter Lourdes.
Lola’s official meaning is “lady of sorrows,” but that just doesn’t fit with this fun, sassy name.
Lucas
Meaning “man from Lucania,” Lucas is actually the Latin form of the Greek name Loukas. It’s one for your baby name list if Luke just doesn’t have enough international flavor — and you’re not the only one.
Lucas is riding a wave of popularity in the U.S., ranking No. 8 in 2020, and it’s also a big hit in Spain, Sweden, France and the Netherlands.
Louise
The female version of Louis, Louise is a French name meaning “renowned warrior.” After a steady decline for decades, it picked up in the 1990s and ranked No. 690 in the U.S. in 2020.
It’s hugely popular in France and Belgium and has royal connections in several European countries.
Lewis
The English version of the boy’s name Louis is Lewis, which has a long history in the U.S. It was a top 100 name from 1880 to 1930 before slipping down the chart, but started moving in the right direction around 10 years ago.
Famous bearers of the name include Lewis Carroll, the creator of “Alice in Wonderland,” and race car driver Lewis Hamilton.
Lyra
Lyra is a name for astronomy fans — it’s the name of one of the modern 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union. It also has mythological credentials, representing the lyre of Orpheus, the legendary Greek musician, poet and prophet.
A recent entry on the U.S. top 1,000 chart, Lyra ranked at No. 552 in 2020.
Lennox
A solid, aristocratic Scottish name, Lennox means “elm grove” and has enjoyed global recognition thanks to the World and Olympic champion boxer Lennox Lewis.
It’s been rising up the U.S. baby name chart since 2010, reaching No. 291 in 2020.
Lisa
Originally one of the many diminutives of Elizabeth, Lisa was a top choice for baby girls in the 1970s and 1980s, with credit due to Elvis Presley introducing daughter Lisa Marie to the world.
It’s still a top 100 name in France, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Belgium and Switzerland.
Lachlan
You’ll struggle to find a more Scottish boy’s name than Lachlan. In ancient times, it was used to describe the Viking invaders of Scotland. It took a few hundred years for it to take off in the U.S. but finally cracked the top 1,000 chart in 2013.
While the authentic Scottish pronunciation of the first syllable is “Lack,” it tends to be pronounced “Lock” in the U.S.
Lizzie
Perhaps the most common short form of the classic Elizabeth is Lizzie, which was also a popular independent name in the second half of the 19th century.
Famous Lizzies include author Lizzie Velasquez and Lizzie Arlington, who was the first woman to play organized baseball.
Lloyd
Originally a common Welsh surname, Lloyd means “gray” and is actually the given name of actor Beau Bridges.
It might not be a top-ranking name in the U.S., but it’s good enough for characters on TV’s “Breaking Bad” and “Seinfeld,” and who can forget Lloyd Christmas in the hit movie “Dumb and Dumber?”
Lia
The Italian variation of the Hebrew Leah, which means “weary,” Lia ranked 269th on the U.S. chart in 2020 and is a top 20 pick in Germany, Switzerland and Israel.
Leah may be the more popular spelling, but Lia has the contemporary edge.
Liam
Liam, meaning “resolute protection,” was originally a short form of William but now stands alone as one of the most popular boy’s names. In fact, it was No. 1 in the U.S. in 2020!
Prolific Liams include One Direction’s Liam Payne, Irish-born actor Liam Neeson and Australian actor (and ex-hubby of Miley Cyrus) Liam Hemsworth.
Lucy
The English variation of Lucia, Lucy means “light” and is a popular girl’s name all over the world. In 2020, it broke into the U.S. top 50 for the first time since the 1880s.
Lucy is one of those rare names that is cute for a little girl but also stylish for a grown-up.
Logan
Originally a Scottish surname derived from a place name in Ayrshire, Logan has taken on superhero status in recent years thanks to Marvel’s “X-Men” franchise. Other pop culture references include characters on “Gilmore Girls” and “Veronica Mars.”
And Logan isn’t just for boys — it ranked No. 317 on the U.S. girl baby name chart in 2020.
Luna
Luna is Latin for “moon,” and this celestial name has enjoyed a popularity boost thanks to Luna Lovegood in “Harry Potter” and John Legend and Chrissy Teigen’s first born daughter.
It reached an all-time high of No. 14 in the U.S. in 2020 and is also a favorite in England, France, Sweden and Denmark.
Levi
A boy name of Hebrew origin meaning “joined, attached,” Levi is more popular than ever. It ranked No. 18 in the U.S. in 2020, perhaps due to celebrity parents Sheryl Crow, Sara Gilbert and Matthew McConaughey.
If you want a biblical name with a contemporary feel, you can’t go wrong with Levi.
Layla
Layla, meaning “night,” has its fingers in lots of different pies. It has Arabic, Hebrew and Persian roots and has strong musical connections through Eric Clapton’s hit song of the same name.
An alternative spelling is Laila, as in boxer Laila Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali.
Luke
Luke was originally a short form of the Greek Lucas, but it’s carved out a place of its own and has been a top 100 name in the U.S. since the early 1990s.
If you’re not a fan of the biblical connection, you have Luke Skywalker (“Star Wars”) and Luke Duke (“The Dukes of Hazzard”) as cultural reference points.
Lily
A pretty English flower name, Lily is derived from the Latin “lilium.” At one point, it was used as an adjective to denote purity (as in “lily-white”).
Floral names will never really go out of fashion, and Lily is one of the most popular. It ranked No. 35 on the U.S. chart in 2020 and has been the choice of many celebrity parents, from Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis to Kate Beckinsale.
Leo
A boy name of German origin, Leo ticks a lot of boxes.
It has a zodiac association, it’s short and snappy, it comes with A-list endorsement thanks to Leonardo DiCaprio, and it’s been attached to no less than 13 popes and several early saints.
Lavender
Both a color and a botanical name, Lavender is a good choice if you want something fragrant for your baby girl. Interestingly, it was also given to boys back in the 18th century.
More recently, Lavender was a character in the “Harry Potter” franchise.
Lincoln
Lincoln reached its peak on the baby name chart in 2020 when it ranked at No. 40. An English name meaning “town by the pool,” it has an obvious presidential history.
But it’s also a contemporary choice that’s been chosen by celebrity parents Bill Murray and Kathryn Erbe, plus Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell for their daughter.
Lydia
The Greek name Lydia has strong literary links, featured in the novels of D.H. Lawrence, Jane Austen and George Eliot.
It’s been a top 400 girl’s name in the U.S. since records began and ranked at No. 96 in 2020. Plus, it’s also popular in Germany and New Zealand.
London
If you’re a fan of place names for kids, you might want to consider one of the most famous cities in the world. London, the U.K. capital, works equally well for boys and girls.
It’s also the name of a town in Texas, if you’d rather your inspiration came closer to home.
Leilani
Hawaiian for “heavenly flower,” Leilani has another attractive meaning: “royal child.”
We’re not aware of any actual royals with the name, but it’s definitely a hit with U.S. parents — it ranked No. 92 in 2020.
Lorenzo
With Italian and Spanish roots and huge popularity in Brazil, Portugal and France, Lorenzo is truly a global name.
It’s remained secure in the U.S. top 500 since records began and ranked at No. 152 in 2020.
Lauren
The English version of Laura, Lauren means “bay laurel.” It’s derived from Laurence and actually began as a boy’s name but is currently a solid choice for girls, ranking No. 232 in the U.S. in 2020.
The most famous bearer is the late actress Lauren Bacall, who was born Betty Joan Perske.
Leon
Leon is the Greek variation of Leo and has the same meaning: “lion.” But that extra letter makes it a totally different name.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie chose it for their son Knox’s middle name in 2008, and the band Kings of Leon gives it a rockstar vibe.
Lena
Originally a pet form of Helena, Lena is a name in its own right today. Famous bearers include singer Lena Horne and actresses Lena Dunham (“Girls”) and Lena Headey (“Game of Thrones”).
In the U.S., it’s not as popular as it was in the 1880s, but it’s been on the ascent again since the 1990s.
Lennon
This is definitely one for Beatles fans, but the late John Lennon isn’t the only famous bearer of this name.
In fact, Canadian actress and singer Lennon Stella could be even more influential than the British icon, as it’s currently more popular for girls than boys.
Lucille
Forget Lucille Ball — this girl’s name is finding a place in contemporary vulture, partly thanks to celebrity parents Maya Rudolph and Paul Thomas Anderson.
If Lucy, Lily and Luna don’t quite strike a chord for you, Lucille could be a contender. Although it fell out of favor for decades, it started to make a comeback in 2003 and ranked No. 271 in 2020.
Leighton
An English name meaning “meadow town,” Leighton is popular for both boys and girls, with alternative spellings Layton and Lleyton to choose from.
Actress Leighton Meester, best known for “Gossip Girl,” may have contributed to a jump on the U.S. girl name chart in recent times.
Laura
An eternally popular choice, Laura reached No. 10 on the U.S. chart in 1969 and remains comfortably in the top 400.
A top 10 name in Austria, Brazil and Poland, famous bearers include actresses Laura Linney and Laura Prepon as well as “Little House on the Prairie” author Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Lawrence
The boy’s name Lawrence means “from Laurentium” — referring to a city known for its laurel trees, which represent wisdom.
Although it feels slightly dated nowadays, it can be shortened to Lawrie or Lawro for a more modern feel.
Lexi
The girl’s name Lexi could be short for Alexandra, but it’s also a name in its own right. It ranked No. 366 in the U.S. in 2020 and is even more popular in Scotland, where it reached No. 66.
On the small screen, Lexi has been a character name on “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Euphoria” and “The Vampire Diaries.”
Leonard
Leonard goes back a long way — it was the name of several saints and was a top 100 choice between 1880 and 1957. Musical references are composer-conductor Leonard Bernstein and poet-singer Leonard Cohen.
Despite the first three letters, it probably won’t appeal to fans of Leo or Leon — Leonard is definitely a more serious choice.
Liv
Olivia is a top-ranking name around the world (including the U.S.), but if you’d like something less popular, Liv is close enough without running the risk of being one of many in the schoolyard.
It’s actually a name in its own right — of Norse origin, it means “life.” Actress and Aerosmith offspring Liv Tyler is the most famous bearer.
Louis
A boy’s name with French and German roots meaning “renowned warrior,” Louis got the royal seal of approval in 2018 when Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, chose it for their third child.
Not to be confused with the previously mentioned Lewis, “Louis” is pronounced “Loo-we” in this case.
Louisa
Like its sister Louise and brother Louis, Louisa means “renowned warrior.” It’s one for book lovers, thanks to Louisa May Alcott (“Little Women”) and characters in works by Charles Dickens and Jane Austen.
After decades on the descent, Louisa’s luck changed in 2014, and it’s currently No. 752 on the U.S. chart.
Lance
If Lancelot is too much of a mouthful, Lance is a shorter, sharper and altogether more modern option.
Currently at No. 757 on the U.S. chart, it’s unlikely to regain its top 100 high of the late 1970s any time soon, so it’s also quite unique.
Lindsey
Originally an English surname, Lindsey has always been a truly unisex name. Girls were given the “ey” ending and boys got the “ay” ending.
It was a top 40 girl’s name in the US in the 1980s but fell out of the top 1,000 chart in 2020.
Lamar
Lamar means “dweller by the pool,” but most Americans might associate it with retired professional basketball player Lamar Odom.
It’s heading toward the wrong end of the top 1,000 chart, but the rise of rapper Kendrick Lamar might help reverse its fortune.
Lorraine
Lorraine isn’t as popular as it used to be, but this French place name has two cute diminutives: Lori and Ray.
And the alternate spelling Laraine, as in 1949s star Laraine Day, makes it more interesting.
Leroy
“Le roi” is French for “king,” so there can be no other meaning for Leroy. This royal name was a top 100 choice until 1949, but it’s been on a downward trajectory ever since.
Famous bearers of the name include biologist Leroy Hood, country musician Leroy Powell and football players Harris, Kelly and Cook.
Lake
Lake is one of the most appealing water names, a strong contender against Ocean, River and Brook. It also has A-list connections in actress Lake Bell and celebrity parents Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady, who chose it for their daughter Vivian’s middle name.
Let’s not forget about 1940s star Veronica Lake and talk show host Ricki Lake.
Lenny
A cutesy nickname for Leonard, Lenny has an equally endearing meaning: “brave lion.”
It’s not a hit with U.S. parents, but it is a top 100 name in France, Germany, Israel and Switzerland.
Larissa
Meaning “citadel,” Larissa has Greek and Russian origins. If you’re not sold on Melissa, Marissa or Clarissa, it could be an option.
The original spelling is Larisa, who was a nymph in Greek mythology, a daughter of winged divine horse Pegasus.
Luther
The obvious reference is Martin Luther King Jr., leader in the American civil rights movement, but Luther has more modern connections thanks to the Disney series “Zeke and Luther” and Idris Elba’s character in the hard-hitting TV crime drama.
A German name meaning “army people,” Luther fell off the U.S. baby name chart in the early 1990s.
Lois
If name meanings are important to you, you’ll find Lois hard to resist — it means “most desirable.” This Greek name also has superhero status thanks to Superman’s better half Lois Lane.
Lois was a popular name in the U.S. in the 1920s, but it dropped off the chart altogether in the early 1980s. However, it’s a firm favorite in the Netherlands, ranking No. 34 in 2020.
Larry
Another short form of Lawrence, Larry was once one of the most popular “L” boy’s names.
Those days are gone, but it may hold a certain appeal for fans of TV host Larry King, comedian Larry the Cable Guy or TV’s “The Larry Sanders Show.”