Leif Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Leif is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Leif?
Leif is spelled L-E-I-F. The name has 4 letters.
Leif at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Leif means “heir” or “descendant” in Old Norse.
- Origin
- Leif is derived from the Old Norse word “leifr” meaning “heir” or “descendant.”
- Pronunciation
- LAYF · 1 syllable
Leif Popularity in 2025
Rank#917
Recorded Births257
- Boys usage rose 10 places to #917 and recorded 7 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Leif Mean?
Leif means “heir” or “descendant” in Old Norse.
Origin: Leif is derived from the Old Norse word “leifr” meaning “heir” or “descendant.”
How Do You Pronounce Leif?
PronunciationLAYF
Syllables1
What Is the History of the Name Leif?
- History
- Leif is used in Norse historical contexts and is notably borne by Leif Erikson, a Norse explorer mentioned in medieval sagas.
Leif Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 257 | #917 |
| 2024 | Boys | 250 | #927 |
| 2023 | Boys | 279 | #860 |
| 2022 | Boys | 290 | #841 |
| 2021 | Boys | 221 | #991 |
| 2020 | Boys | 245 | #910 |
| 2019 | Boys | 205 | #1,013 |
| 2018 | Boys | 207 | #998 |
| 2017 | Boys | 218 | #955 |
| 2016 | Boys | 214 | #963 |
| 2015 | Boys | 187 | #1,061 |
| 2014 | Boys | 205 | #1,004 |
| 2013 | Boys | 195 | #1,005 |
| 2012 | Boys | 179 | #1,060 |
| 2011 | Boys | 185 | #1,028 |
| 2010 | Boys | 176 | #1,092 |
| 2009 | Boys | 175 | #1,063 |
| 2008 | Boys | 140 | #1,240 |
| 2007 | Boys | 128 | #1,327 |
| 2006 | Boys | 135 | #1,239 |
| 2005 | Boys | 152 | #1,081 |
| 2004 | Boys | 114 | #1,304 |
| 2003 | Boys | 138 | #1,111 |
| 2002 | Boys | 101 | #1,315 |
When Was Leif Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2022 · Boys
290 recorded births
National rank #841
2023 · Boys
279 recorded births
National rank #860
2025 · Boys
257 recorded births
National rank #917
2024 · Boys
250 recorded births
National rank #927
Where Leif Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| MT | #227 | 5 |
| UT | #351 | 13 |
| WA | #425 | 17 |
| ID | #435 | 5 |
| CO | #468 | 12 |
| WI | #523 | 9 |
| MN | #640 | 7 |
| SC | #668 | 6 |