This post contains affiliate links.
At a Glance
- Meaning
- Heir or descendant (literally 'relic, that which remains')
- Origin
- Old Norse/Scandinavian
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- LAYF
Leif is a boy's name rooted in Old Norse and Scandinavian tradition, pronounced LAYF. It means "heir" or "descendant" — literally "relic, that which remains" — so if you've seen it described as "beloved heir," that extra warmth isn't actually part of the word's root; the name itself simply points to what's carried forward.
Meaning & Origin of Leif
Meaning: Heir or descendant (literally 'relic, that which remains').
Origin: Old Norse/Scandinavian.
A common claim: Beloved heir Actually: 'Beloved' has no basis in the Old Norse root; the name simply means 'heir' or 'descendant.'
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Leif
LAYFIPA /ˈleɪf/
Popularity of Leif
Leif's best year in Social Security data was 1979, when it ranked #638 with 181 babies given the name; by 2024 it had drifted to #925, with 250 babies given the name that year.
Names Like Leif
These names share Leif’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Leif mean?
Heir or descendant (literally ‘relic, that which remains’). (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Leif?
Leif is pronounced LAYF (IPA: /ˈleɪf/).
Is Leif a popular name right now?
Leif peaked at #638 in 1979 and is ranked #925 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1912–2024.)
Make Leif Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Leif, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Leif? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
🎲 Think you know your baby names? Take the quiz!
📱 The Baby Names app is here
Swipe names, match with your partner the moment you both say yes, and claim a free Name Art print of your winner. Free to download. See all our apps →
