Comments for the name Leigh

Also meaning "from the army or camp". (Hebrew)

Actress Vivian Leigh had this name.

This is a pretty name. It can be pronounced "LAY". It's such a unique way to spell 'LEE'.

'Lay' is not actually a correct pronunciation traditionally but you CAN say it anyway you want (that sort of thing makes people look a bit silly and uneducated to me, but most people disregard opinions of people they don't know, so it doesn't matter). However, naming your child 'Lay' sets them up for a few, um, choice jokes, when they grow up, doesn't it?

This is the middle name of actress Gillian Anderson: Gillian Leigh Anderson is her full name.

This name to me sounds soft and sweet for a new baby girl.

My parents chose this name for me because they like the meaning and spelling. The meaning they found was "Contented One".

This is my middle name. I have never really liked it because in elementary school the kids would make fun of me for having a boy's name. I like it better now, but I wish it was something else still.

Leigh is the title of the 3rd book in The Women of Ivy Manor series by Lyn Cote.

Leigh is my first name, I'm 17, and until now I pretty much hated my name. The typical "you've got a boy's name" still applies but only to the simple minded. I think I'll grow to love this name and actually like the fact that not many people have it.

Can also be pronounced 'LEE-a'. I like this name pronounced either way, my grandma's name is Leah so I'd consider naming my little girl this to honor her.

In Dan Brown's book The Da Vinici Code, one of the characters' name is Leigh Teabing.

I think Leigh is trying too hard. Stick with Lee. Lee even looks better on paper.

I really do not like this as a girl's name, it just doesn't sound right. I love it as a boy's name, and my brother-in-law has it, so that's why I'm probably used to it being a boy's name. I also prefer this spelling over Lee which is boring.

Leigh is a pretty name for a girl. For a boy I would spell it Lee. For either a boy or a girl I like this name.

Leigh is a pretty name for a girl. But for a boy, I'd spell it Lee. I like this name better for a girl, though.

For those of you saying this name can be pronounced "lay" or the same way as the name "leah," no it can't. Leigh is pronounced "lee," plain and simple. Pronounce it "lay" or "leah" if you want to, but the point is that is NOT the CORRECT pronunciation. The other made-up pronunciations are ridiculous.

This is my first name, and I've always loved it because it's so unique. I've never met anyone else with this name! Whenever I meet someone and tell them my name, they have to ask what my name is again just to make sure they get it correct. Then most people always comment how cool the name is, and how much cooler the spelling is. I love it!

Leigh Watson is one half of the Watson Twins.

This works best a second name.

To the person who said it looks better as a second name, I AGREE! I love my name as it is, Madison Leigh Ryan (can't tell you last name heheh!)

A famous bearer is 19th century Romantic poet Leigh Hunt.

Sorry to any Leighs out there, but I hate that name. I would like it a little better for a boy, but only if it was spelled "Lee".

Leigh Bowery was a British fashionista that gave people a new view on fashion, self-expression, and creativity.

Leigh Nash is the lead singer of Sixpence None the Richer.

Although I know it's pronounced LEE, I always think LAY in my head when I see it.

Not too fond of it, but it's a good middle name.

This is my middle name, and I like it a lot. I think this spelling is way too feminine for a boy, though. Lee is a more masculine spelling.

I love this name for a baby girl, however, pronounced Lay. For some reason, "Leigh" has always been pronounced Lay in my mind!

I really like this name for a middle name of a girl. I always thought the pronunciation was 'LAY' but when you think about it, I have seen people named Ashley who spelled it Ashleigh. I also think it would be neat if it was made into a alternate spelling of Leah by spelling it Leigha.

My best friend goes by this name, which is her middle name. I know a grown man and a grown woman with this name, as well as my (female) best friend. It's very plain but pretty and it's a little more "jazzed up" than "Lee". I like it spelled "Lee" for a boy, mainly because I know a girl named Leigh and a boy named Lee, and I'm so used to that it's just looks right to me. The only problem I have with this name is that everyone spells my best friend's name either "Liegh", or "Lee". And I think it's overused as a middle name, but it's still a nice name.

What a pretty name. I like this name for a girl and Lee for a guy. And all those who have been ridiculed for this name don't be; it's so pretty, soft and yet so strong and independent. Be proud!

Personally, I really cannot stand this name. I guess the main cause of that might be it's popularity with horrible chavs who live near me. I'm sorry, but this really is not a name I would like to see on a young child.

I love this name! It is short, simple, and elegant. You also do not hear of it very often. If I was ever to have a daughter this would be my first name choice for her.

It's pretty, yet uncompleted. It's better followed by a middle name- but not as a middle name, because it's overused in that sense.

I'm surprised that some female bearers of the name (with this spelling) were taunted as children for having "a boy's name." There's quite a common perception that this is the "girl's spelling." In point of fact, both spellings have been used fairly frequently for girls and boys. Leigh apparently strikes many as being fancier and frillier and, therefore, more suitable for girls. That's really subjective, but understandable in a way. A third possibility is Lea (pronounced as one syllable, to rhyme with "tea" or "sea"). This is the pronunciation of the last name. The "a" ending suggests that this would be feminine. Name expert Leslie Dunkling, however, says that all 3 spellings have been used for both sexes.

As per the (apparently) not uncommon notion that this name can be pronounced "lay," well, let's just say it's not advisable for either sex.

I'm guessing that this notion has something to do with the not-too-uncommon last name Leighton, most bearers of which would pronounce "Layton."

Can you say boring? This is often given as a thoughtless filler middle name. It has no personality whatsoever.

Another origin is IRISH.

Leigh Taylor-Young, American actress and former wife of actor, Ryan O'Neal.

This is my first name and I have never really liked it, mainly because many people do not know how to pronounce it. Usually I am called "Leah" by people but I don't know how they get that from Leigh, there isn't even an "a" in it. I do understand how people can mispronounce it "Lay" though. I am sure they are remembering the rule "'i' before 'e' except after 'c', or if it rhymes with 'sleigh'".
Only recently, since the name is becoming more popular as a middle name, am I finally sort of liking the name. I usually only have to identify myself by my first name since it is rare so that is a bonus.

Lee is much more lovely, and much easier to spell. Leigh . . . Eh.

I personally am not of the opinion that pronouncing this name as 'lay' could be considered unintelligent and uneducated. As Leigh_ said, some people may simply be thinking of the way sleigh or neighbor are pronounced. When I first saw this name, I had the thought that it might sound the same as lei, the Hawaiian word.

I love the suggestion of Leigha, as that would definitely make the name seem more feminine. I still prefer Leigh, though.

I can see how someone might consider this a thoughtless middle name, much like Marie seems to be. The fact does remain, though, that many people have Mary and Lee as their names. As a matter of fact, since my grandfather's first and middle names were Charles Anthony Lee, I am considering giving my daughter this name. The feminine alternatives to Charles and Anthony are simply not as pretty to me.

I hate this crap, it's like Lee except harder to spell and more of a dog's name.

If you name your child Leigh you obviously don't know how to spell.

A pretty name, and get over "it's hard to spell." "eigh" is not at all uncommon in the English language. Should "sleigh" be spelled "slay"? Or "neigh," "nay?" No.

That being said, it is understandable why some people might think this name is pronounced "lay." But there are lots of idiosyncratic pronunciations in English. The correct pronunciation is "lee." I think it's lovely to see the old spellings.

I pronounce it "LAY-A". I know that's not how it's correctly pronounced, but I prefer it this way. "Leah" is another way I can see it pronounced. But not just "lee" or "lay".

With all the trendy "lee" and "leigh" names being ultra trendy, U would never use this name. It's a bit boring.