Names beginning with L

A short form of Elizabeth, often used independently — notably the name of the subject of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa.

A short form, inheriting its meaning from William — 'resolute protection' or 'will helmet'.

From the English word for the lily flower.

From Latin 'laurus' meaning 'laurel' — laurel wreaths honoured victors in ancient Rome. Also the subject of 14th-century Italian poet Petrarch's poems.

The Latin form of the Greek name Loukas, ultimately linked to the English name Luke. The deeper root meaning is itself disputed — possibly a shortened form of 'from Lucania' (a region of southern Italy), or alternatively derived from the Latin name Lucius.

A variant/feminine form of Laurence, tracing to the place name Laurentum. First popularized as a feminine name by actress Lauren Bacall (born Betty Jean Perske).

Traditionally understood as 'Viking' or 'Scandinavian' via its root name — someone associated with the land of the Norsemen. A secondary reading of that root gives 'land of the lakes'.

The English form of Lucia, from Latin 'lux' meaning 'light'. In use since the Middle Ages.

Lion.

The Italian and Romanian form of Lucas, itself probably a shortened form of the Greek 'Loukanos', meaning 'from Lucania' (a region of southern Italy).

Traditionally traced to an Old Norse name (Hlif) commonly interpreted as 'protection'. In modern Scandinavian usage the name is also strongly associated with the everyday word for 'life', though that is a separate word, not the historical root.

The French feminine form of Louis, from Germanic elements 'hlud' (famous) and 'wig' (warrior) — 'famous warrior'.

From Latin Lucas, from Greek Loukas — probably 'from Lucania' (a region of southern Italy), or possibly connected to Lucius. Luke was a physician who accompanied Paul and is traditionally credited as author of the third Gospel and Acts.

Possibly means 'joined' or 'attached' in Hebrew, referencing Levi (third son of Jacob and Leah) as ancestor of the Levite priestly tribe. Behind the Name flags the etymology itself as uncertain.

Likely derives from a Hebrew word meaning 'weary, grieved'; an alternative theory suggests a connection to Akkadian 'littu' ('cow'). In the Old Testament, Leah was Jacob's first wife.

Derived from a Scottish place name in Ayrshire, traditionally interpreted as 'little hollow', from Gaelic lag ('hollow, pit') plus a diminutive suffix — became a Scottish surname before being adopted as a given name.