Declining since 2018, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Leith since 1916
Babies named Leith per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 12 |
| 1920s | 0 | 22 |
| 1930s | 0 | 11 |
| 1940s | 18 | 7 |
| 1950s | 35 | 30 |
| 1960s | 37 | 59 |
| 1970s | 20 | 90 |
| 1980s | 0 | 85 |
| 1990s | 0 | 82 |
| 2000s | 0 | 80 |
| 2010s | 0 | 106 |
| 2020s | 0 | 75 |
Meaning & origin
Leith is a rare, sleek Scottish place name that has never cracked the top 1000 in the United States. First recorded as a given name in 1916, it saw its peak usage in 2018, when it reached #7679 in the rankings. Since then, its trajectory has been falling, reflecting a modest decline from that high point. With a 1-in-170,808 rate in 2025, it remains an obscure but distinctive choice. Leith's appeal lies in its connection to the historic port of Edinburgh and its clean, one-syllable sound, reminiscent of other Scottish place names like Isla and Skye. Though never widely popular, it has maintained steady if sparse use, particularly favored by parents seeking a name that is both geographic and masculine without being common.
Leith is a name of uncertain derivation, but it is most commonly associated with the Scottish place name Leith, the port district of Edinburgh. The place name itself may come from Old English *hlȳþ* or *hlȳð* meaning 'gate' or 'water channel,' or from a Gaelic word for 'wet' or 'damp.' It has been used as a given name since the early 20th century, likely drawing on the elegance of Scottish place names and surnames.
“Leith” around the world
Where Leith lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Leethe
Sibling names for Leith
Names that share Leith's style, for a brother or sister.
