Leif
How to say it: LEEF · /ˈlif/
From Old Norse 'leifr' meaning 'heir' or 'descendant'. Borne by Leif Erikson; deeply rooted in Scandinavian heritage.
Leif was the 841st most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 257 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up about 36% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #746 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #841 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 257 |
| Share of births | 1 in 12,900 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | +36% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #746 |
| In France, 2025 | #1,664 among boys’ names, 10 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Climbing steadily, Leif is enjoying its strongest showing in the 2020s. At its peak today, further gains look likely.
What goes with it
Breathed lightly as LEEF, it comes across as strong yet spare. Finn matches in style.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Leif is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Norwegian, Swedish.
In France: #1,664 for boys in 2025.
Famous people named Leif
- Leif Erikson (972–1020)Norse explorer (c. 970 – c. 1020)
- Leif Ove Andsnes (born 1970)Norwegian pianist
- Leif Mortensen (born 1946)Danish road bicycle racer, born 1946
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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