Leif
Leif is a boys' name of Norse origin meaning “heir, descendant, beloved.” It ranked #735 in the United States in 2025. Leif derives from Old Norse 'leifr' meaning 'heir' or 'descendant.
how do you pronounce Leif?
LAYF
Hear it spoken aloud with our AI pronunciation tool.
what does Leif mean?
The name Leif means “heir, descendant, beloved.” It comes from the Norse language tradition.
Leif derives from Old Norse 'leifr' meaning 'heir' or 'descendant.' 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?
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2024 | #735 |
| 2023 | #750 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset
who are famous people named Leif?
- Leif Erikson (Norse explorer of North America)
- Leif Garrett (American singer and actor)
what names are similar to Leif?
Last reviewed April 30, 2026 · Curated by HushName editorial
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