Leanna is a unique and beautiful female given name with an interesting history and meaning behind it.
The name Leanna is of Welsh origin and means "little bird." It is derived from the Welsh word "lleu," which means "leader," and the suffix "-anna," which denotes smallness or femininity. This makes Leanna a unisex name that has been used primarily for girls since the 19th century.
One theory suggests that Leanna may have originated as a pet form of the Welsh male given name Llewellyn, which was popular among Welsh royalty during the Middle Ages. However, it is also possible that Leanna emerged independently as a name meaning "little bird," inspired by the beauty and freedom of birds in flight.
Leanna became more widely used in English-speaking countries during the Victorian era (1837-1901), when there was a trend towards using exotic and unusual names for children. It gained popularity alongside other Welsh-inspired names such as Llanelli, Llewella, and Leoline.
Today, Leanna continues to be a popular choice among parents looking for unique and meaningful names for their daughters. Its Welsh origins give it an air of ancient elegance, while its meaning conveys a sense of grace and independence.
Some famous people named Leanna include Canadian actress Leanna Noble, American singer-songwriter LeAnn Rimes, and British musician Leanne Barry. However, despite its growing popularity over the years, Leanna remains relatively uncommon compared to more traditional female given names like Sarah or Emily.
"Leanna is a unique and distinctive name, with a total of 5 births recorded annually in the United States during the year 1987. This statistic highlights the rarity of this name and its potential to stand out among more commonly used names."