Holding steady.
Popularity of Lief since 1948
Babies named Lief per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1999, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lief's real moment was 1973.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 6 |
| 1950s | 16 |
| 1960s | 43 |
| 1970s | 66 |
| 1980s | 46 |
| 1990s | 38 |
| 2000s | 31 |
| 2010s | 14 |
| 2020s | 19 |
Meaning & origin
Lief is a rare Scandinavian and Dutch name that carries the literal meaning of 'life.' Its appearance in the United States dates back to 1948, though it has never entered widespread use. The name peaked in 1973, after which its usage has remained stable but extremely infrequent, averaging only a handful of births per year. Despite its obscurity, Lief holds cultural weight within Scandinavian communities and is sometimes chosen for its simple, nature-inspired meaning. Its trajectory shows no signs of revival, but its concise and phonetically straightforward structure makes it an understated choice for parents seeking something distinctive.
Lief is a given name derived from Old Norse 'lif' meaning 'life' or 'beloved.' It is a short form of names such as Liefr and is related to the modern Scandinavian and Dutch words for 'dear' or 'lovely.' In medieval times, it was used in Sweden and Denmark, and later spread to the Netherlands. The name remains rare in English-speaking countries but has seen occasional use in the United States since the 1970s.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Lif
Sibling names for Lief
Names that share Lief's style, for a brother or sister.
