Leroy
/ˈli.ˌɹɔɪ/
Leroy comes from the French nickname le roi meaning "the king." It entered English usage through Norman French after the Conquest of 1066, when French vocabulary and naming conventions spread throughout England. The name was used as both a surname and, eventually, a given name, particularly in the American South.
Leroy has been common as an English given name since at least the 18th century and became particularly well-established in African American communities across the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a thoroughly mainstream American name through the 1920s and 1930s, ranking in the top 30 nationally at its peak.
Satchel Paige's teammate Leroy "Satchel" Paige (1906-1982) - the legendary Negro League pitcher and Baseball Hall of Famer whose actual first name was Leroy - is among the most famous bearers. LeRoy Neiman (1921-2012), the sports artist, and Leroy Anderson (1908-1975), the composer of "Sleigh Ride" and "The Typewriter," represent the name's mid-century American breadth.
What the name Leroy means
Leroy has two syllables: LEE-roy. It has a warm, old-fashioned American quality - a name that belongs to a specific era without being trapped by it. The same vintage authenticity that makes the name feel dated also makes it feel ripe for rediscovery.
Leroy ranked No. 862 in the United States in 2024 with approximately 357 births. It peaked in the 1920s-30s and has declined since, but it has reached the level where vintage revival becomes increasingly likely.
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Leroy
Leroy - similar names
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