Leeroy

Leeroy is a given name, a stylized variant of Leroy, which itself derives from the Old French le roi, meaning "the king." The spelling Leeroy is used in English-speaking contexts, particularly in gaming and popular culture.

The best-known association with the name is the online phenomenon known as Leeroy Jenkins. Filmed during a World of Warcraft raid in 2005, the clip shows a raid member named Leeroy Jenkins diverging from the planned approach, charging into battle and triggering a raid wipe. The video was uploaded and circulated on gaming sites and later broader platforms, becoming one of the earliest and most enduring memes in online gaming. The phrase Leeroy Jenkins has since entered common usage to describe impulsive, reckless, or poorly coordinated behavior in group activities and is frequently referenced in articles, parodies, and gaming-related media.

Beyond the meme, Leeroy is occasionally used as a given name or nickname in fiction and online communities, often with awareness of the meme itself. The name’s presence reflects a broader trend of adopting distinctive spellings to signal gamer or online culture.

See also Leroy.