Leda Girl

Popularity: #936 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: LEE-duh /ˈliːdə/

Origin: Greek; Latin

Meaning: Greek: woman; Latin: joyful

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Leda has its roots in ancient Greek, derived from the word 'lēda', which is believed to mean 'woman' or 'wife'. In Greek mythology, Leda was the mother of the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux) and Helen of Troy, conceived through a union with Zeus, who had taken the form of a swan.

This mythological connection has contributed to the name's enduring presence in literature and art throughout history. The name entered the Latin lexicon as 'Leda', maintaining its original form and meaning, and subsequently made its way into Old French and Middle English, where it retained its classical associations.

Historically, Leda's significance is marked by her appearances in various classical texts and artworks, particularly during the Renaissance when the story of Leda and the Swan became a popular subject among artists and poets. Notable works include those by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, which reflect the cultural fascination with mythological themes.

The name is also referenced in Ovid's 'Metamorphoses', a key text from the early first century CE that has influenced Western literature and art. Culturally, Leda symbolizes themes of beauty, seduction, and the complexities of divine interaction with mortals, which resonate through various interpretations of her myth.

The name has been associated with grace and femininity, often evoking the duality of strength and vulnerability inherent in her story. In some traditions, diminutive forms such as 'Leddy' may arise, but the name Leda itself has remained a significant figure in the tapestry of mythological and literary history.

Famous people named Leda

In this section, you will find notable people named Leda. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Leda who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Leda who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Leda Cosmides is a psychologist best known for her work in evolutionary psychology and cognitive science.

Leda S. M. is a musician best known for her contributions to the indie music scene and her album releases.

Fictional characters named Leda

The following list of fictional characters named Leda is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Leda is a fictional character from Greek mythology. She is known as the mother of Helen of Troy, whose abduction sparked the Trojan War.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Leda, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

LinaLeahLilaLaraLunaLana

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Leda. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

LinaLeilaLinaeLedaeLydia

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Leda was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Leda has ranked as high as #1748 nationally, which occurred in 1920, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, California, Texas, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Leda has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Leda is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Leda was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Leda.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 12 12
2024 14 14
2023 15 15
2022 23 23
2021 16 16
2020 15 15
2019 17 17
2018 17 17
2017 18 18
2016 24 24
2015 27 27
2014 13 13
2013 7 7
2012 10 10
2011 14 14
2010 9 9
2009 9 9
2008 10 10
2007 13 13
2006 14 14
2005 11 11
2004 12 12
2003 7 7
2002 10 10
2001 12 12
2000 9 9
1999 11 11
1998 6 6
1997 11 11
1996 10 10
1995 8 8
1994 13 13
1993 7 7
1992 12 12
1991 6 6
1990 17 17
1989 21 21
1988 21 21
1987 9 9
1986 14 14
1985 24 24
1984 11 11
1983 13 13
1982 12 12
1981 9 9
1980 8 8
1979 14 14
1978 13 13
1977 20 20
1976 19 19
1975 12 12
1974 12 12
1973 12 12
1972 16 16
1971 19 19
1970 29 29
1969 28 28
1968 23 23
1967 28 28
1966 31 31
1965 32 32
1964 46 46
1963 32 32
1962 30 30
1961 27 27
1960 40 40
1959 39 39
1958 35 35
1957 39 39
1956 41 41
1955 36 36
1954 35 35
1953 38 38
1952 44 44
1951 51 51
1950 31 31
1949 43 43
1948 35 35
1947 42 42
1946 39 39
1945 37 37
1944 30 30
1943 28 28
1942 19 19
1941 26 26
1940 35 35
1939 30 30
1938 32 32
1937 42 42
1936 29 29
1935 42 42
1934 38 38
1933 29 29
1932 25 25
1931 33 33
1930 34 34
1929 43 43
1928 39 39
1927 45 45
1926 37 37
1925 49 49
1924 43 43
1923 45 45
1922 50 50
1921 43 43
1920 61 61
1919 43 43
1918 48 48
1917 43 43
1916 55 55
1915 41 41
1914 36 36
1913 32 32
1912 29 29
1911 18 18
1910 18 18
1909 18 18
1908 17 17
1907 19 19
1906 13 13
1905 19 19
1904 41 41
1903 19 19
1902 21 21
1901 25 25
1900 22 22
1899 21 21
1898 13 13
1897 21 21
1896 19 19
1895 24 24
1894 29 29
1893 17 17
1892 20 20
1891 13 13
1890 13 13
1889 10 10
1888 10 10
1887 10 10
1886 14 14
1885 6 6
1884 9 9
1883 7 7
1882 5 5
1881 5 5
1880 9 9

Top States for Leda (1969)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 5
100%