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?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Leif in English.
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.
Popular Sibling Names For Leif
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Leif, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Leif
Find matching brother names for Leif and create a wonderful team of siblings.
LaefertunLafayette Laughlin Laughton Lav Lava Lavaine Lavan Lavana Lavanaa Girl Sibling Names For Leif
Looking for some suitable sister names for Leif? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
LaavanyaLafa Lafiza Lafonya Lavada Lavali Lavangi Lavani Lavanya Laveda Other Popular Names Beginning With L
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter L to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
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.
Popular Songs On The Name Leif
Leif’s Zodiac Sign And Birth Star As Per Vedic Astrology
Vedic astrology, also called Jyotisha, provides deep insights into a person’s life based on celestial positions at birth. Rashi and nakshatra, which are an integral part of Jyotisha, are believed to influence an individual’s personality and life events. The following sections give you rashi-related information, such as the associated letters, elements, ruling body, quality, and nakshatra for the name leif. These details help analyze a person’s characteristics, personality, and behavior.
Zodiac Sign (Rashi)
As shown in the following table, each rashi is associated with specific sounds, which are often used as the starting letters of names for newborns in Hindu families. Each rashi is represented by a figure and one of the five elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether (Space). One ruling celestial body, known as its 'rashi lord' or 'ruler' is assigned to these rashis. These bodies include Venus, Mars, Sun, Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn. Furthermore, the rashis are assigned various qualities or gunas.
| Rashi (zodiac sign) | Mesha (Aries) |
|---|---|
| Starting letters for Mesha (Aries) rashi | A, L, E, I, O |
| Representation | Ram |
| Element | Fire |
| Ruling body | Mars |
| Quality | Movable (chara) |
Birth Star (Nakshatra)
Another important aspect of Vedic Astrology is the nakshatras, the lunar constellations or star clusters that the Moon occupies during a person's birth. There are 27 nakshatras, each with its own unique qualities, attributes, and symbolism. Each rashi contains two-and-one-fourth nakshatras in it. For example, Aries contains Ashwini, Bharani, and Krithika nakshatras.
The below table provides information on the nakshatras’ degrees on the zodiac circle, their lords and related syllables, for babies born in the Mesha (Aries) rashi. These syllables/phonetics are popularly used to choose the baby name. For precise nakshatra calculation based on your baby's birthplace and date, use our Nakshatra Calculator.
| Nakshatra | Degrees Of The Nakshatra | Nakshatra Lord (Ruler) | Name Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashwini (Awasthi, Aswini) | Aries (0 to 13.20 degrees) | Ketu | Chu, Che, Cho, Choo, La, Laa |
| Bharani | Aries (13. 20 to 26.40 degrees) | Venus | Lee, Lu, Le, Lo, Li |
| Krittika (Karthikai, Krithika) | Aries (26.40 to 30.00 degrees) | Sun | Aa, Ae, E, Ee, Ai, A, I, Oo, U |
Infographic: Know The Name Leif‘s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.
Download Infographic
Leif In Different Languages
It’s exciting to see our baby’s name spelled and written in various languages. See how people spell Leif in Spanish, French, German, Italian, and more! Each language has its own way of saying Leif, but it’s still the same special name. Learn how the name looks and sounds in different languages around the world!
| Name | Language | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Leif | English | en |
| 莱夫 | Chinese | zh-CN |
| लीफ | Hindi | hi |
| Leif | Spanish | es |
| Leif | French | fr |
| ليف | Arabic | ar |
| leif | Bengali | bn |
| Leif | Portuguese | pt |
| Лейф | Russian | ru |
| leif | Urdu | ur |
| Leif | Indonesian | id |
| Leif | German | de |
| レイフ | Japanese | ja |
| लीफ | Marathi | mr |
| లీఫ్ | Telugu | te |
| Leif | Turkish | tr |
| லீஃப் | Tamil | ta |
| Leif | Vietnamese | vi |
| Leif | Tagalog | tl |
| 레이프 | Korean | ko |
| Leif | Hausa | ha |
| Leif | Swahili | sw |
| Leif | Javanese | jv |
| Leif | Italian | it |
| leif | Punjabi | pa |
| leif | Gujarati | gu |
| ลีฟ | Thai | th |
| ಲೀಫ್ | Kannada | kn |
| ሌፍ | Amharic | am |
| लीफ | Bhojpuri | bho |
| Leif | Yoruba | yo |
How To Communicate The Name Leif In Sign Languages
In Nautical Flags
leif
In Sign Language
leif
In Braille Alphabet
leif
In Morse Code
leif
Name Numerology For Leif
Numerology is an occult system that gives significance to numbers and their influence on human life and destiny. Numerologists attribute specific qualities, energies, and characteristics to a number. Parents who believe in numerology prefer to choose baby names that resonate positively with the child’s unique numerical vibrations, often derived from their date of birth. Here we give a general birth number and personality traits of the name Leif, based on the Pythagorean (Western) system. This analysis will differ from child to child based on their date of birth. You may use our numerology calculator for more personalized information.
Baby Name Lists Containing Leif
Read through our baby name lists that include the name Leif and several other similar names. The wider the choice, the better your selection. Isn't it?
- Baby Boy Names With Meanings›
- Baby Boy Names That Start With Letter L›
- Norwegian Baby Names With Meanings›
- Norwegian Baby Names Starting With Letter L›
- Norwegian Baby Boy Names, Starting With Letter L›
- Old Norse Baby Names With Meanings›
- Old Norse Baby Names Starting With Letter L›
- Old Norse Baby Boy Names, Starting With Letter L›
- 100 Sweet And Short Names For Boys With Meanings›
- 77 Kickass Baby Names For Girls And Boys With Meanings›
- 100 Historical Boy Names To Inspire Your Name Search›
- 50 Gutsy And Valiant Nautical Baby Names For Boys And Girls›
- 81 Artsy Bohemian Baby Names For Boys And Girls›
- 100 Scandinavian Last Names Or Surnames With Meanings›
Movie Titles Inspired By The Name Leif
Discover the presence of Leif in an array of films. Know about the various movies that have this name.
| Movie title | Other titles | Release year |
|---|---|---|
| Leif in Concert | Leif in Concert Vol. 2, Leif na żywo - vol. 2 | 2019 |
| Charlotte: A Royal at War | Léif Lëtzebuerger | 2008 |
| Leif | Leif - en mand i knibe | 1987 |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Leif?
The name Leif means ‘heir’ or ‘descendant.’
2. What is the origin of the name Leif?
Leif has an Old Norse origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Leif?
Leif is pronounced as ‘leef.’
4. What are some middle names that complement the name Leif?
Leif is a Scandinavian boy’s name meaning ‘heir’ or ‘descendant.’ Hence, middle names with similar etymology may pair well with the name. For instance, Hendrik is a boy’s name meaning ‘ruler of the home,’ Anders is a powerful name of Scandinavian origin meaning ‘brave’ or ‘manly,’ and Erik is another name signifying association to descendants and means ‘eternal ruler.’
5. What are the personality traits often associated with individuals named Leif?
According to numerology, individuals named Leif may be naturally charming and confident. They are said to be natural leaders with compassion and kindness. However, remember that these predictions are mostly beliefs and thoughts; each individual may display distinct positive traits.
Look Up For Many More Names
Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.
