Leif
Leif is a boys' name of Norse origin meaning “heir, descendant, beloved.” It ranked #917 in the United States in 2025. Leif derives from Old Norse 'leifr' meaning 'heir' or 'descendant.'
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how do you pronounce Leif?
LAYF
where does the name Leif come from?
A Scandinavian name from the Old Norse Leifr, heir or descendant. The variant Laif keeps the vowel of the nominative singular, while Leif keeps that of an older dative and plural form.
Leif Erikson was the Norse explorer who reached North America around 1000 CE, approximately 500 years before Columbus. Leif Erikson Day is celebrated on October 9th in the United States and Norway.
how popular is this name?
Leif has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 39 years since 1957, and fell outside it for 30. It peaked at #638 in 1979, and ranked #917 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #917 |
| 2024 | #927 |
| 2023 | #860 |
| 2022 | #841 |
| 2021 | #991 |
| 2020 | #910 |
| 2018 | #998 |
| 2017 | #955 |
| 2016 | #963 |
| 1980 | #664 |
| 1979 | #638 |
| 1970 | #653 |
| 1960 | #862 |
| 1957 | #995 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Leif fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Leif
Leif has been used in Norway since the Middle Ages and was revived in the nineteenth century.
who are famous people named Leif?
- Leif Erikson (Norse explorer of North America)
- Leif Garrett (American singer and actor)
what are the nicknames and variants of Leif?
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Leif?
what names go well with Leif?
Sibling names that share Leif's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Leif
What does the name Leif mean?
Leif means “heir, descendant, beloved”.
What is the origin of the name Leif?
Leif comes from the Norse naming tradition. Related forms include Laif.
How popular is the name Leif?
Leif ranked #917 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1979, at #638, and it has spent 39 years in the top 1,000 since 1957.
Is Leif a boy or girl name?
Leif is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Leif?
Leif is pronounced LAYF, with 1 syllable.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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