Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Leif
BoyOld Norse, Scandinavian· “heir, descendant”
- Meaning
- heir, descendant
- Origin
- Old Norse, Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- LEEF
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #917
- US babies 2025
- 257
- Best rank
- #638 (1979)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Leif
Leif is an Old Norse and Scandinavian name that means “heir, descendant”.
Leif comes from the Old Norse name Leifr, meaning heir or descendant. The best-known bearer is Leif Erikson, the Norse explorer who is believed to have reached North America around the year one thousand, long before Columbus. The name has remained in use across Scandinavia, especially in Norway and Sweden, and it appeals to many families with Nordic heritage. Its simple one-syllable sound, pronounced like leaf in English, gives it an earthy, natural feel. Leif sounds adventurous and calm at once, a good fit for parents who like short, strong names.
Popularity over time
Leif first appears in US Social Security records in 1912. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 38 different years, starting in 1957. Its best national rank was #638 in 1979, and the most babies received it in 2022, when 290 were named Leif. In 2025, 257 babies were named Leif, and it ranked #917 nationally. That is 37% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #4,072 in 1920, #1,135 in 1950, #664 in 1980, #1,118 in 2000, #1,093 in 2010, and #917 in 2025. Of the 9,997 US boys named Leif since records began, 20% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 1,542 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Massimo, Ameer, Kabir, Thatcher, and Niklaus.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Leif ranked highest in Montana, Utah, and Washington.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | #264 | 5 |
| Utah | #364 | 13 |
| Washington | #436 | 17 |
| Idaho | #466 | 5 |
| Colorado | #487 | 12 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Leif is usually pronounced LEEF, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with L and ends in “-if”.
Middle names for Leif
A few middle names that flow with Leif: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Leif
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Lists that include Leif
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Leif mean?
Leif is an Old Norse and Scandinavian name that means “heir, descendant”.
What is the origin of the name Leif?
Leif has Old Norse and Scandinavian roots. Leif comes from the Old Norse name Leifr, meaning heir or descendant.
Is Leif a popular name?
Yes. Leif ranked #917 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Leif a boy or girl name?
Leif is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Leif?
Leif is usually pronounced LEEF. 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