UK boy's name
Leelan
A name of Hindi origin meaning "indigo-blue, celestial, divine".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2019. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Leelan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Leelan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2019 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3411, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2016, with 15 births.
This profile covers 102 England and Wales registrations across 13 recorded years from 2007 to 2019. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 33% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 101 living people in the UK are called Leelan. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2020 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Leelan ranked #3411 for boys in England and Wales in 2019, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2016, when 15 boys were registered as Leelan.
- • About 101 living people in the UK are estimated to have Leelan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3411
2019
Births in 2019
5
Latest year
Peak year
2016
15 births
Estimated living
101
2026
Meaning
What does Leelan mean?
The name Leelan is a Hindu name of Sanskrit origin, derived from the Sanskrit word "leela," which means "play" or "sport." It is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent during ancient times.
In Hindu mythology, the concept of "leela" refers to the divine play or the cosmic dance of creation, where the divine entity engages in playful and creative activities. The name Leelan is often associated with this idea of divine playfulness and creativity.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Leelan can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, such as the Puranas and the Upanishads. These texts often mention the divine leela or play of various deities, particularly Lord Krishna, who is known for his playful and mischievous nature.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Leelan. One of the earliest known figures was Leelan Chand, a renowned Indian philosopher and scholar who lived in the 8th century CE. He is credited with writing several treatises on Advaita Vedanta, a branch of Hindu philosophy.
Another prominent figure was Leelan Singh, a Sikh warrior and military leader who fought against the Mughal Empire in the 17th century. He is remembered for his bravery and valor in defending the Sikh territories.
In more recent times, Leelan Kaywin was an Indian poet and writer who lived in the early 20th century. He is renowned for his poetic works that explored themes of love, nature, and spirituality.
Leelan Chhibber, born in 1930, was an Indian film director and screenwriter known for his contributions to the Punjabi film industry. He directed several acclaimed films and was instrumental in promoting Punjabi cinema.
Leelan Dutta, born in 1967, is an Indian classical dancer and choreographer. She is recognized for her expertise in the Odissi dance form and has performed extensively both nationally and internationally.
While the name Leelan is primarily associated with the Hindu culture and Sanskrit language, it has gained popularity across various regions and communities in India and beyond, reflecting the rich diversity and cultural exchange that has taken place throughout history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Leelan over time
The chart below shows babies named Leelan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2007 to 2019. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Leelan, the clearest high point is 2016. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2019, compared with 15 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Leelan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Leelan was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #2772 | 82 | 10 |
| 2000s | #3109 | 20 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Leelan
- Luke 72,247
- Lewis 69,555
- Leo 63,249
- Liam 60,482
- Lucas 49,061
- Logan 40,771
- Louis 35,898
- Luca 30,323
- Louie 24,242
- Leon 22,308
- Levi 9,931
- Lee 7,861
FAQ
Leelan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Leelan in the UK right now?
In 2019, Leelan was ranked #3411 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Leelan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2016, with 15 babies registered as Leelan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Leelan?
A name of Hindi origin meaning "indigo-blue, celestial, divine".
How many people are called Leelan in the UK?
A total of 102 babies have been registered as Leelan across the 13 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.