Leeward
The direction away from the wind or downwind.
Name Census estimates that about 0 living Americans carry the first name Leeward. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Leeward today is around 0 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Leeward births was 1925 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Leeward. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Leeward. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
0
~ - Americans
Peak year
1925
5 babies that year
Average age
-
1925 SSA rank
#4,606
Tracked since 1925
Popularity
Leeward: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Leeward by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Leeward during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Leeward
The given name Leeward has its origins in nautical terminology, specifically referring to the direction opposite to the windward side of a sailing vessel. The name is derived from the combination of the Middle English words "lee," meaning sheltered from the wind, and "ward," signifying direction or position.
In the context of sailing, the leeward side of a ship is the side that is sheltered from the wind, while the windward side is the one facing the wind. This nautical term has been in use since the 16th century and has gradually evolved into a given name, particularly in coastal regions and areas with a strong maritime tradition.
While the name Leeward does not have direct references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, its nautical roots can be traced back to the age of exploration and the development of sailing vessels. As maritime trade and naval warfare became more prominent, the terms "leeward" and "windward" gained significance in navigational terminology.
The earliest recorded examples of the name Leeward being used as a given name can be found in official records and historical documents from the 18th and 19th centuries. During this period, the name gained popularity among seafaring communities and families with strong ties to the maritime industry.
One of the earliest known individuals with the given name Leeward was Leeward Hockley, a British sailor who served in the Royal Navy during the late 18th century. His birth and death dates are uncertain, but records indicate that he participated in several naval battles against the French during the Napoleonic Wars.
Another notable figure with the name Leeward was Leeward Stanton (1832-1904), an American sea captain and ship owner from Massachusetts. He commanded several merchant vessels and was known for his expertise in navigating treacherous waters and delivering cargo safely.
In the literary world, Leeward Trelawney was a fictional character in the novel "The Rover" by Joseph Conrad, published in 1923. Trelawney was a ship's mate whose name reflected the nautical theme prevalent in the novel.
Leeward Ainsworth (1878-1942) was a British naval officer who served in both World Wars. He rose through the ranks and became a respected commander, known for his leadership and strategic skills during naval engagements.
Lastly, Leeward Galveston (1920-1997) was an American sailor and yacht designer from Texas. He gained recognition for his innovative designs and contributions to the sport of sailing, particularly in the Gulf Coast region.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the given name Leeward, reflecting its maritime origins and the enduring connection between this name and the world of sailing and seafaring.
People
Leeward + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Leeward as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with L
Other first names starting with L with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Leeward: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Leeward?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 0 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Leeward going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about - US residents.
Is Leeward a common name?
We classify Leeward as "Very Rare". It ranks above 2.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Leeward most popular?
The single biggest year for Leeward was 1925, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Leeward is about 0 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Leeward in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Leeward a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Leeward in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Leeward still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Leeward in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Leeward can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people share the name Leeward?
For a quick modern estimate, our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers that in one glance, with the living-bearer count front and centre.