Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Leda
GirlGreek· “uncertain, possibly woman”
- Meaning
- uncertain, possibly woman (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- LEE-duh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #8,641
- US babies 2025
- 12
- Best rank
- #516 (1904)
- Peak year
- 1920
Meaning and origin of Leda
Leda is often said to mean “uncertain, possibly woman”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Greek roots.
Leda is a figure from Greek mythology, the queen of Sparta whom Zeus visited in the form of a swan. She was the mother of Helen of Troy, Clytemnestra, and the twins Castor and Pollux. The meaning of her name is uncertain. Some scholars link it to a Lycian word for woman, but that is not proven. The myth has been painted and sculpted many times, and W. B. Yeats wrote a famous poem called Leda and the Swan. In English the name is said LEE-duh, though many people say LAY-duh. It is short, classical and unusual, with a similar sound to Lena and Lida.
Other spellings with the same sound: Lida.
Popularity over time
Leda has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 34 different years. Its best national rank was #516 in 1904, and the most babies received it in 1920, when 61 were named Leda. In 2025, 12 babies were named Leda, and it ranked #8,641 nationally. That is 56% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #934 in 1920, #1,698 in 1950, #7,804 in 1980, #10,377 in 2000, #11,821 in 2010, and #8,641 in 2025. Of the 3,448 US girls named Leda since records began, 13% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 389 babies. Since 2010, 251 more have been named Leda.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Arlena, Bernetta, Rossie, Oneida, and Venice.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Leda is usually pronounced LEE-duh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with L and ends in “-da”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Lida.
Middle names for Leda
A few middle names that flow with Leda: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Leda
Similar names
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Lists that include Leda
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Leda mean?
Leda is often said to mean “uncertain, possibly woman”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Greek roots.
What is the origin of the name Leda?
Leda has Greek roots. Leda is a figure from Greek mythology, the queen of Sparta whom Zeus visited in the form of a swan.
Is Leda a popular name?
Not especially. Leda ranked #8,641 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Leda a boy or girl name?
Leda is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Leda?
Leda is usually pronounced LEE-duh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings