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Origin, Meaning, And History Of Leif
Leif is a Scandinavian boy’s name inspired by Old Norse, which means ‘heir’ or ‘descendant.’ The name has been adopted by various cultures worldwide. In French, it means successor, descendant, or beloved, while in Swedish, it means ‘dearly beloved.’
Leif has a proud history and remains popular across nations and continents. Vikings and other Nordic people commonly used the name throughout the past.
Leif Erikson, a Norse adventurer, is the most famous bearer of this name. Born in Iceland in the 10th century, his father, Erik the Red, was a renowned explorer and pioneer of Greenland. He is believed to be the first European to step foot on North American soil 500 years before Christopher Columbus.
According to Icelandic sagas, Leif established a Norse settlement in Vinland, considered coastal North America. There is speculation that the village established by Leif and his group corresponds to the remains of a Viking settlement called L’Anse aux Meadows, occupied 1,000 years ago in Newfoundland, Canada.
On October 9, Americans celebrate Leif Erikson Day, recognizing Nordic immigrants’ contribution to American culture. Congress officially recognized the holiday in 1964.
This unique and exotic one-syllable name has several variations, including Leiv in Norwegian, Leifur in Icelandic, Leifr in Old Norse, and Leifsson in Swedish.
The name Leif has a rich history associated with the Viking Age and Scandinavian exploration. It continues to be a popular and well-respected name in many regions of the world.
Leif
How To Pronounce Leif?
Famous People With The Name Leif
- Leif GarrettNorwegian-American singer and actor; who began as a child actor and rose to fame as a teen idol in music in the 1970s
- Le1fKhalif Diouf, also known as Kalifa and formerly as Le1f, is an American rapper and producer
- Leif ShirasAmerican former professional tennis player; He and his partner Paul McNamee won the Wimbledon over-35 men’s doubles title in 1995
- Leif JusterNorwegian comedian, actor, and singer
- Leif OlsonAmerican professional golfer
Leif On The Popularity Chart
In many parts of the world, the name Leif is quite uncommon, yet it has a strong and enduring appeal in Scandinavia, as well as a rising following in other regions.
Popularity Over Time
According to data on baby names collected by the Social Security Administration (SSA), Leif was most popular in 2020. Take a look at this graph to understand its popularity.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
There have been dramatic rises and falls in the ranking of the name Leif. It was quite popular in 1983 when it was ranked 12,810. Check out the graph to know more about it.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Leif
If you are looking for a name with a vibe similar to Leif, these names have identical sounds and may be good choices.
Names With Similar Meaning As Leif
Based on the several possible etymologies of the name Leif, here are a few more names with related meanings.
Name Numerology For Leif
