Leif Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Leif is a name of Old Norse origin meaning 'heir' or 'descendant'. It has evolved from its original form 'Leifr' in Old Norse to its modern Scandinavian variants. The name is associated with traits of adventure and exploration, particularly due to its connection to the Viking explorer Leif Erikson. There is no biblical relevance. Leif has historical significance dating back to the Viking Age and continues to be a popular name today.
The name Leif is most popular in Washington, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Leif has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too falling for male in South, too falling for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Leif' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2164th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2065th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1070th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 769th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 989th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1187th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 954th out of 23106 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 27321st out of 27321 names. Discover how the name 'Leif' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Leif"
Pronunciation
/leɪf/
Origin
Old Norse
Etymology
The name Leif derives from the Old Norse name 'Leifr', which means 'heir' or 'descendant'. It is often associated with the Viking explorer Leif Erikson.
Meaning
heir, descendant
Language Evolution
Old Norse: Leifr, Old Swedish: Leif, Modern Scandinavian: Leif
Historical Usage
Leif gained popularity during the Viking Age, particularly because of Leif Erikson's voyages to North America around the year 1000. It has remained in use in Scandinavian countries and has seen a resurgence in other parts of the world in recent years.
Variants & Derivatives
Leifur, Leifson, Leifa
Modern Popularity & Image
Leif is often viewed positively, evoking a sense of adventure and exploration, particularly due to its association with Viking heritage and history.
Famous People
Leif Erikson - Norse explorer known for being one of the first Europeans to reach North America., Leif Garrett - American singer and actor known for his popularity in the 1970s.
Explore More Leif Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Leif"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Leif"
"Leif" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2164th of 7545 | 224 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2065th of 6773 | 234 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1070th of 7552 | 940 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 769th of 10718 | 1,815 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 989th of 16616 | 1,653 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1187th of 24088 | 2,155 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 954th of 23106 | 2,716 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 27321st of 27321 | 5 |
Regional Popularity of "Leif" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
60.24% 853rd/1416 |
91.44% 1261st/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
62.85% 978th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
35.74% 796th/2227 |
39.51% 960th/2430 |
- |
28.22% 783rd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
24.04% 706th/2937 |
25.35% 883rd/3483 |
42.33% 1489th/3518 |
13.97% 565th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
23.88% 880th/3685 |
35.35% 1582nd/4475 |
31.36% 1629th/5194 |
12.71% 803rd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
23.53% 1078th/4582 |
30.40% 1570th/5164 |
29.74% 2175th/7313 |
11.62% 867th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
22.69% 904th/3984 |
24.43% 1096th/4487 |
18.78% 1281st/6822 |
11.54% 724th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Leif" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Leif"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Leif" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.