Lloyd

At a Glance

Meaning

Grey, or grey-haired

Origin

Welsh (surname)

Gender

Used for both boys and girls

Pronunciation

LOYDListen

Lloyd began as a Welsh surname before it became a first name, and it comes from the word llwyd, meaning 'grey' or 'grey-haired' — originally a nickname for someone with grey hair. You may have heard that Lloyd means 'sacred,' but that claim doesn't hold up; the documented root is llwyd, not anything tied to sacredness. If you're drawn to a name with a plain, literal Welsh meaning rather than a symbolic one, Lloyd fits that bill.

Meaning & Origin of Lloyd

Meaning: Grey, or grey-haired.

Origin: Welsh (surname).

A common claim: Lloyd is sometimes said to mean 'sacred.' Actually: Lloyd comes from Welsh llwyd, meaning 'grey' or 'grey-haired' — originally a nickname for someone with grey hair.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Lloyd

Popularity of Lloyd

Lloyd peaked at #51 in 1918, when 3,742 baby boys were given the name, but by 2024 it had dropped all the way to #1766 with just 93 boys named Lloyd — a long, steady decline across the SSA's full 1880-2024 record.

Names Like Lloyd

These names have followed a similar path to Lloyd in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Clifton
• Jacobo
• Vivien
• Meyer
• Philomena
• Woodrow

FAQ

What does the name Lloyd mean?

Grey, or grey-haired. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Lloyd?

Lloyd is pronounced LOYD (IPA: /lɔɪd/).

Is Lloyd a popular name right now?

Lloyd peaked at #51 in 1918 and is ranked #1766 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Lloyd Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Lloyd, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.