We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Hobbies

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Where Did the Name "Lego" Come From?

Margaret Lipman
By
Published: Jul 08, 2025
Views: 149
Share

For decades, Lego has had a special appeal for both adults and children. Generations of people have grown up building with Lego, whether following instruction booklets or creating free-form structures solely from their imaginations.

Considering the global powerhouse that Lego is today, it’s interesting to look back at how Lego has developed in nearly a century of existence—and to discover how the company got its iconic name.

The Lego story begins with Danish carpenter and joiner Ole Kirk Kristiansen, who founded the Lego Group in 1932. The name comes from an abbreviation of the Danish words leg godt, which means “play well.” Ironically, the word lego also loosely translates as “I put together” or “I assemble” in Latin—something that Kirk Kristiansen didn't realize at the time.

Initially, Kirk Kristiansen made high-quality wooden toys until the mid-1940s, when he acquired a plastic injection molding machine and began developing the forerunner of the modern interlocking brick, initially known as “Automatic Binding Bricks.” The modern Lego brick was patented in 1958, and the Lego wheel was launched in 1962, soon followed by the first Lego building instructions in 1963. The Lego mini-figure was launched in 1979.

Other important milestones in Lego history:

  • The first Legoland park opened in 1968, in Billund, Denmark. There are now Legoland parks in California, Florida, New York, Germany, Japan, Dubai, South Korea, Malaysia, and the UK.

  • It wasn’t until 2002 that Lego launched its first retail store, in Cologne, Germany.

  • Lego branched into the film business with the release of The Lego Movie in 2014, followed by the 2017 spinoff The Lego Batman Movie and the 2019 sequel The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part.

  • After more than 90 years, the Lego Group is still primarily owned by the Kirk Kristiansen family.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Margaret Lipman
By Margaret Lipman
With years of experience as an educator, Margaret Lipman produces thoughtful and informative content across a wide range of topics. Her articles cover essential areas such as finance, parenting, health and wellness, nutrition, educational strategies. Margaret's writing is guided by her passion for enriching the lives of her readers through practical advice and well-researched information.
Discussion Comments
Margaret Lipman
Margaret Lipman
With years of experience as an educator, Margaret Lipman produces thoughtful and informative content across a wide range...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.com/where-did-the-name-lego-come-from.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.