Leif: Name Meaning, Origin, Nicknames and Popularity

Leif Name Meaning

The name Leif is of Scandinavian origin and is derived from the Old Norse name "Leifr," which means "heir" or "descendant."

Leif Name Origin

The name Leif has Scandinavian origins. It is derived from the Old Norse name Leifr, which means "heir" or "descendant." Leif is a commonly used name in countries such as Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. It gained popularity outside of Scandinavia due to the historical figure Leif Erikson, a Norse explorer who is believed to have been the first European to reach North America, around the year 1000.

How Popular Is the Name Leif?

The popularity of the name Leif has varied over time and across different regions. In general, it is not as commonly used as more popular names, but it has gained some popularity in recent years.
According to data from the Social Security Administration (SSA) in the United States, Leif ranked 668th in popularity in 2020, with 429 boys being given this name. This indicates a slight increase in popularity compared to previous years. However, it is still considered a relatively uncommon name.
It is worth noting that the name Leif has Scandinavian origins and is more commonly used in countries such as Norway and Sweden, where it may be more popular or familiar to people.

Leif Name Variations

Leiff, Lief, Liefe, Leaf

Leif Common Nicknames

1. Leafy
2. Leify
3. Leifster
4. Leifsterman
5. Leifie
6. Leifito
7. Leafman
8. Leifey
9. Leifito
10. Leifmeister

Famous People Named Leif

1. Leif Garrett - American singer, actor, and television personality
2. Leif Erikson - Norse explorer, credited with being the first European to reach North America
3. Leif Ove Andsnes - Norwegian pianist
4. Leif Segerstam - Finnish composer and conductor
5. Leif Hoste - Belgian professional road bicycle racer
6. Leif Johansson - Swedish businessman, former CEO of Ericsson and Volvo
7. Leif Mannerström - Swedish chef and restaurateur
8. Leif Bengtsson - Swedish curler, Olympic gold medalist
9. Leif G.W. Persson - Swedish author and criminologist
10. Leif Edling - Swedish bassist and songwriter, founding member of Candlemass

All People Who Named "Leif"