The name LEGO comes from the Danish phrase 'Leg Godt,' which means 'Play Well.'

The LEGO Group was founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Christiansen in Billund, Denmark. Initially, the company produced wooden toys such as stepladders, ironing boards, and pull-along ducks. In 1934, Christiansen sought a brand name that would reflect the company's focus on quality play and invited his staff to suggest ideas.The winner of the contest was the founder himself, who shortened the Danish phrase 'Leg Godt' into the four-letter name we know today. At the time, the company had only seven employees. The transition from wood to plastic did not occur until 1947, when the company purchased a plastic injection molding machine, the first of its kind in Denmark.Interestingly, Christiansen was unaware that 'Lego' has a Latin translation. In Latin, the word 'lego' can be translated as 'I study,' 'I gather,' or 'I put together.' While this was entirely unintentional, it became a legendary piece of brand lore as the company pivoted toward its iconic interlocking brick system in 1949.The modern LEGO brick design was officially patented on January 28, 1958. This design ensures that bricks from decades ago still snap perfectly into bricks manufactured today. The company remains owned by the Christiansen family, with Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, the founder's grandson, serving as one of the wealthiest people in Denmark.