Akura13

yes, L's real name is Lawliet, though it is quite funny sounding...I can see why everyone calls him L...but, anyways, L is his first name and Lawliet is his last.

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AnimeAddict

His name is L Lawliet Near's is Nate River and Mello's is Micheal Keelh

Tenken

I doubt that. Who parents could've named their child "L" ?!!
If he was abandonned at 2, somebody must've picked him up (otherwise, he couldn't have survived) and gave him a name.
If he was abandonned when at an older age, he should've known his full name. I tend to think the later is the case, and Lawliet is his real last name
I think the authors can't think of a good-enough first name for L, that's all

fayt lingod

I believe "L" is still short for something ,lol. Being from England "Lawrance Lawliet" could possibly be his true un-contracted name

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thanks to zyta for the sick sig and avy!

AnimeAddict

L was in Wammy's house of 'Gifted' children with Near, Mello and Matt
The creator of Deathnote, said according to Ohba he considered "I" and "J" but decided that they did not "feel as good" as "L" and chose "L" "after careful consideration and also Ohba said that for L's name he wanted to use a single letter with a lot of significance

beast

You must remember that he was an orphan. But you are right about it being a strange name. His parents if they had been around may have objected to it. But I say long live the name of L. One of the world's greatest dectectives.