Signature Ideas for the Letter L: Styles and Tips

The capital L is a loop with a foot, and that makes it one of the friendliest letters to sign with. If your name is Laura, Lewis or Lambert, here is how to write it, eight styles worth trying and the mistakes to avoid.

How a capital L is built by hand

In print an L is a vertical line with a short foot. In handwriting it is more often a single curve: a tall loop that rises on the left, swings down and finishes in a small curl at the base. It is the only common capital that can be written as a single clean loop, which is why it suits fluent, fast signatures.

The finishing stroke is where you have the choice. A short foot gives a tidy, almost typographic L. A long sweeping foot becomes an underline, and a small closed loop at the base gives the classic copperplate shape that appears in cursive writing manuals.

Signature styles for names with L

Quick and simple

1. Single loop L. One upward loop, one downward stroke, a tiny foot. The best all-rounder, for Laura Lane or Luke Lawson.
2. Print L plus cursive name. A plain upright L, then the rest joined. Clear and official-looking: Lloyd Lewis, Lena Lee.

More distinctive

1. Foot as underline. Stretch the base of the L into a long line beneath the whole name. Works for short names such as Leo Lamb or Lily Lord.
2. Tall elegant L. Give the L double height, narrow and slightly slanted, and write the rest at half size. Good for Lucinda Langley or Lawrence Lowe.
3. Closed base loop. A small loop where the foot turns back. Adds a traditional touch to Louise Lambert.
4. L plus surname. A confident initial and a clear surname, e.g. L. Bennett or L. Ahmed. Practical for a long first name like Lachlan or Leonora.
5. Double L. For Lola Lloyd or Lucy Lomax, write the two Ls so the foot of the first is the loop of the second.
6. Double l inside a name. Names like Lillian, Elliott or Lloyd contain the letter twice. Give the capital the flourish and keep the inner pair small.

Drawing the L in four steps

1. Start the loop at the base line, rise to the left, and come over the top.
2. Bring the stroke down in a smooth line, slightly curved, to the base line.
3. Finish with the foot: a tiny curl, a flat tick or a long line to the right.
4. Check that the loop is open enough to stay visible when the signature is small.

Because the L finishes on the base line, it joins most second letters smoothly. The exception is a second letter that begins at the top, such as an a drawn from the right-hand side, where a quick lift is better than a long link. Practise the join with your own name, since Lola, Lewis and Lloyd each behave a little differently.

Which style for which name length?

Name length	Best L style	Why
Short (Leo, Lily)	Foot as underline	Gives a short name presence
Medium (Laura, Lewis)	Single loop L	Fast and fluent
Long (Lawrence, Leonora)	L plus surname	Saves space and stays legible

Common names starting with L

	Names with L
Girls and women	Lucy, Laura, Lily, Lola, Lauren, Louise, Leah, Lena, Lottie, Lara, Lorraine, Lucinda
Boys and men	Liam, Luke, Leo, Louis, Lewis, Logan, Lloyd, Lawrence, Leon, Lachlan, Lenny, Lee
Surnames	Lewis, Lloyd, Lee, Lawrence, Lambert, Lane, Lawson, Lowe, Lord, Lomax

Short names (Lee, Lily, Leo) look good with a large L and a foot that doubles as an underline. Longer ones (Lawrence, Leonora) work better as an initial plus surname. For naming trends see the ONS baby names for England and Wales.

A practical test for any of these: sign your name ten times in a row on a plain sheet, then fold the page so the signatures sit side by side. If the L is the same height and shape each time, the style is one you can keep. If it drifts, simplify it. A loop that survives a rushed signing at a counter or a parcel door is worth more than a graceful one that only works when you have a minute to spare.

Mistakes to avoid with L

• An L that looks like an e, an l or a 2 when the loop collapses. Open the loop wide enough.
• A foot that crosses the stem, which turns the L into a tangle.
• Making the L so tall that it clips the line above on a form.
• A capital L that looks the same as the lowercase l in the rest of your name. Keep the capital clearly larger.

More to read

Every letter is on the signature ideas A to Z page. For general styles see signature ideas, and for practice drills how to practise your signature. Neighbouring letters: K and M. Letter history: Wikipedia.

Frequently asked questions

How do I make a loop L that does not collapse?

Keep the loop at least as wide as a pen width and complete it before you move down. Practising a row of loops on lined paper helps.

Can I leave the L as a plain line?

Yes, a print L is a legitimate choice. Keep the stem straight and add a short foot so it does not read as an I.

Is a long underline from the L a good idea?

It is fine if it stays inside the signature box. If you sign on forms, check it will not touch the text below.

What do I do with two Ls in my name?

Make the first one the feature and let the second be smaller and quicker.