Leif
Every Leif since 1912 — 10,002 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Leif
Leif is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #917 in 2025 with 257 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1912, 10,002 American babies have been named Leif. Its peak came in 2022, when 290 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Leif stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Leif year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 257 | #917 |
| 2024 | — | — | 250 | #928 |
| 2023 | — | — | 279 | #860 |
| 2022 | — | — | 290 | #841 |
| 2021 | — | — | 221 | #995 |
| 2020 | — | — | 245 | #914 |
| 2019 | — | — | 205 | #1,015 |
| 2018 | — | — | 207 | #1,003 |
| 2017 | — | — | 218 | #957 |
| 2016 | — | — | 214 | #966 |
| 2015 | — | — | 187 | #1,063 |
| 2014 | — | — | 205 | #1,007 |
| 2013 | — | — | 195 | #1,007 |
| 2012 | — | — | 179 | #1,063 |
| 2011 | — | — | 185 | #1,029 |
| 2010 | — | — | 176 | #1,093 |
| 2009 | — | — | 175 | #1,068 |
| 2008 | — | — | 140 | #1,247 |
| 2007 | — | — | 128 | #1,329 |
| 2006 | — | — | 135 | #1,245 |
| 2005 | — | — | 152 | #1,087 |
| 2004 | — | — | 114 | #1,307 |
| 2003 | — | — | 138 | #1,116 |
| 2002 | — | — | 101 | #1,322 |
| 2001 | — | — | 120 | #1,155 |
| 2000 | — | — | 126 | #1,118 |
| 1995 | — | — | 81 | #1,309 |
| 1990 | — | — | 87 | #1,169 |
| 1985 | — | — | 110 | #864 |
| 1980 | — | — | 169 | #664 |
| 1975 | — | — | 109 | #799 |
| 1970 | — | — | 157 | #654 |
| 1965 | — | — | 83 | #810 |
| 1960 | — | — | 78 | #864 |
| 1955 | — | — | 44 | #1,126 |
| 1950 | — | — | 40 | #1,135 |
| 1945 | — | — | 17 | #1,668 |
| 1940 | — | — | 16 | #1,770 |
| 1935 | — | — | 7 | #3,129 |
| 1930 | — | — | 10 | #2,706 |
| 1925 | — | — | 15 | #2,138 |
| 1920 | — | — | 6 | #4,072 |
| 1915 | — | — | 21 | #1,535 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Leif
- Leif Erikson Explorer · 970–1020
- Leif Segerstam Conductor · b. 1944
- Leif Erickson Actor · 1911–1986
- Leif Mortensen Cyclist · b. 1946
- Leif Ove Andsnes Musician · b. 1970
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Leif in 2025?
Leif ranked #917 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 257 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Leif?
10,002 babies have been named Leif in the United States since 1912, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Leif most popular?
Leif peaked in 2022, when 290 newborns received the name.
Is Leif a boy or girl name?
Leif is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Leif rising or falling?
Leif is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Leif?
Well-known people named Leif include Leif Erikson (explorer), Leif Segerstam (conductor), Leif Erickson (actor).