Leif

Leif is a traditional Nordic first name, meaning "the heir" or "the descendant." It originates from the Old Norse term leifr, which also refers to "heir" and "descendant." The boy's name Leif is widely used in Scandinavia as well as in other Nordic-influenced regions.

What does the name Leif mean?

Leif is a Nordic first name that means "the heir" or "the descendant" and is derived from the Old Norse word leifr. The name was particularly popular in the first half of the 20th century but has not maintained the same popularity among the top boy names today. In Northern Germany, Leif is also occasionally chosen as a first name. The spread and popularity of the name can largely be attributed to the famous bearer Leif Erikson. The Icelandic seafarer, known as "the Lucky," is said to have reached North America in 1021 and is thus considered the first European explorer of the continent—almost 500 years before Christopher Columbus.

Where does the name Leif come from?

Leif is a masculine first name whose roots lie in Old Norse and carries the meaning "the heir" or "the descendant."

How do you pronounce Leif?

The pronunciation of Leif is monosyllabic and clearly structured. In German, the name is usually pronounced as "Leif" [laɪf] or [leːf]. It begins with a bright vowel that conveys openness, and the diphthong or long E sound provides a sense of auditory spaciousness. The final f adds a distinctive accent. Leif conveys a Nordic flair and strength—a name that impresses with its reduced form and clear presence.

When is the name day of Leif?

March 3

Popularity

In Germany, Leif is considered a valued first name. Currently, it ranks 457th on the list of the most common male baby names. Its best ranking was achieved in 2006, when it reached 210th place. Over the past ten years, the name has been chosen approximately 1,300 times as a first name, placing it 445th in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, it ranks 411th.

Nicknames & pet names

Der Leif / Der Leifinator / Itz-my-Leif / Leefke / Leffe / Leffi Teffi / Leifa / Leifchen / Leiffinchen / Leifi / Leifi Pfeiffi / Leifi-Deifi / Leifichen / Leifileinchen / Leifington / Leifue / Leifus / Liffe / Ljäf / Ljöf / Ljüf / Luff / Lüffes / Oh-Leif / Schleifi

Famous people

• Leif Alsheimer (Swedish writer)
• Leif Andersson (biathlete from Sweden)
• Leif Andree (Swedish actor)
• Leif Anton (handball player from Germany)
• Leif Ekas (cyclist)
• Leif Erickson (actor, e.g., in the series High Chaparral)
• Leif Erikson (Icelandic explorer)
• Leif Eriksson (Swedish football and bandy player)
• Leif Flengsrud (Norwegian cyclist)
• Leif Fredriksson (Swedish musician)
• Leif G. W. Persson (Swedish writer)
• Leif G.W. Persson (Swedish writer)
• Leif Garrett (former US singer and teen idol)
• Leif Grung (Norwegian architect)
• Leif Gunnar Smerud (Norwegian footballer)
• Leif Halvorsen (Norwegian composer)
• Leif Hansson (Swedish cyclist)
• Leif Hasle (writer from Denmark)
• Leif Hoste (professional cyclist)
• Leif Johansson (Norwegian tennis player)