Leda is a feminine given name of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek word "ledos", which means "hive" or "beehive". The name Leda has been associated with several figures in Greek mythology.
In one of the most famous stories, Leda was a queen of Sparta who was seduced by Zeus in the form of a swan. As a result of this union, she laid two eggs, from which hatched four children: Helen (who would later become known as "Helen of Troy"), Castor, and Clytemnestra. According to some versions of the myth, Leda was also the mother of Pollux.
The name Leda has been used throughout history, with notable figures bearing the name including Saint Leda, a 6th-century Irish abbess, and Leda Maria Alexandra of Saxony, a princess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
In literature and art, Leda has been a popular subject due to her role in Greek mythology. The most famous example is "Leda and the Swan", a poem by W.B. Yeats, and many artists have depicted the story of Leda and Zeus as a swan, including Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.
Overall, the name Leda has a rich history and meaning that dates back to ancient Greek mythology, and it continues to be used today as a beautiful and unique feminine given name.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Leda in the United States from 1880 to 2023, we can observe several trends over time.
From 1880 to 1920, there was a gradual increase in the number of births with the name Leda. The lowest point was in 1880 with only 9 births, while the highest point during this period was in 1920 with 61 births.
However, after reaching its peak in 1920, the popularity of the name Leda began to decline. From 1921 to around 1950, there was a steady decrease in the number of babies named Leda at birth. The lowest point during this period was in 1942 with only 19 births.
After 1950, the popularity of the name Leda started to fluctuate more erratically. There were some years with relatively high numbers of births, such as 1951 with 51 births and 1964 with 46 births. However, these peaks were followed by significant drops in the number of babies named Leda.
From the 1970s onwards, the name Leda became much less common in the United States. The highest point during this period was in 1976 with 19 births, and since then, the number of babies named Leda has typically been in single digits each year.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Leda has remained quite low. Between 2015 and 2023, there were between 15 and 27 births with the name Leda each year.
Overall, while the name Leda was moderately popular during the late 19th to early-to-mid 20th centuries in the United States, its popularity has since declined significantly. Today, it is quite uncommon for babies to be named Leda at birth.