Many people will tell you that all names are not equal, and that the names you use create your life experiences. With this in mind, what do Mandy’s given names, Amanda Leigh, say about her?

AMANDA
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, German, Late Roman
Pronounced: A-man-da

Meaning and history
In part this is a feminine form of AMANDUS. However, it was not used during the Middle Ages. In the 17th century it was recreated by authors and poets who based it directly on Latin amanda meaning “lovable, worthy of love”. Notably, the playwright Colley Cibber used it for a character in his play ‘Love’s Last Shift’ (1696). It came into regular use during the 19th century.

LEIGH
Gender: Masculine and feminine
Usage: English
Pronounced: Lee

Meaning and history
From a surname which was derived from Old English Leah meaning “clearing”. The surname belonged to Robert E. Lee (1807-1870), commander of the Confederate forces during the American Civil War. In his honour, it has been commonly used as a given name in the American South.