Leina
A feminine name of Hawaiian origin meaning "well-beloved child".
Name Census estimates that about 752 living Americans carry the first name Leina. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Leina today is around 18 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Leina births was 2020 (38 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Leina. 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.
People living today
752
~ 1 in 455,790 Americans
Peak year
2020
38 babies that year
Average age
18
years old
2024 SSA rank
#4,712
Tracked since 1970
Popularity
Leina: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Leina from the 1970s through to the 2020s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 260 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Leina remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Leina 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 Leina during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Leinas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 4 states and territories. California, Texas, Florida recorded the most babies named Leina, while New York, Florida, Texas recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 24 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Leina
The name Leina has its origins in the Hawaiian language and culture. It is a feminine given name that emerged in the late 18th century during the time of the Hawaiian Renaissance, a period when the Hawaiian language and traditions experienced a revival.
Leina is derived from the Hawaiian word "lei," which refers to the traditional Hawaiian garland made of flowers, leaves, shells, or feathers. These leis were worn by Hawaiians for special occasions and ceremonies, symbolizing love, respect, and welcome. The name Leina is believed to have been inspired by this cultural tradition, representing the beauty and significance of the lei in Hawaiian culture.
While the name Leina does not appear in ancient Hawaiian texts or religious scriptures, it has been documented in historical records and accounts from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Some of the earliest recorded examples of the name Leina can be found in birth and marriage records from that time period.
Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Leina. One of the earliest recorded individuals was Leina Nāpuaikauō, a Hawaiian chiefess who lived in the late 18th century. She was a member of the royal family and played a significant role in the political affairs of the Hawaiian islands during her time.
Another notable figure was Leina Kamakau, a Hawaiian historian and scholar who lived in the 19th century. She was known for her extensive knowledge of Hawaiian genealogy, traditions, and history, and her work contributed greatly to the preservation of Hawaiian cultural heritage.
In the 20th century, Leina Pili was a prominent Hawaiian musician and composer. She was known for her beautiful compositions and her dedication to preserving and promoting Hawaiian music. Her songs were widely popular and helped to keep the Hawaiian musical tradition alive.
Leina Koki was a Hawaiian activist and advocate for indigenous rights. She played a crucial role in raising awareness about the struggles and challenges faced by Native Hawaiians and worked tirelessly to protect their land, culture, and identity.
Lastly, Leina Tahiti was a renowned Hawaiian dancer and choreographer. She was instrumental in reviving and popularizing traditional Hawaiian dance forms, such as the hula, and her performances were celebrated both in Hawaii and internationally.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Leina throughout history, each leaving a lasting impact on Hawaiian culture, art, and society.
People
Leina + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Leina 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
Leina: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Leina?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 752 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Leina 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 1 in 455,790 US residents.
Is Leina a common name?
We classify Leina as "Very Rare". It ranks above 88.1% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 766 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Leina most popular?
The single biggest year for Leina was 2020, when 38 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Leina is about 18 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Leina a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Leina in the SSA data are female. 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.
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.