Surname Leibhard - Meaning and Origin

Leibhard: What does the surname Leibhard mean?

The last name Leibhard is believed to be of German or Ashkenazi Jewish origin, derived from the old German word "leib", meaning "lion". This surname suggests that its original bearer may have been a courageous individual or leader. In the Jewish tradition, a leib or lion symbolizes strength, courage, and leadership.

Throughout its history, this surname has been frequently found in records of families living in Germany and the Netherlands in past centuries. The individuals and families associated with this name often hailed from areas such as Bavaria and Thuringia. Because of its Jewish roots, the name also appears in records of Jewish immigrants to the United States and Canada in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Today, Leibhard is a relatively uncommon surname, but it can still be found in various parts of North America, Europe, and other regions around the world. It's also associated with some notable figures from German and Jewish history, including Austrian astrophysicist Hans Leibhard, author Teresa Leibhard, and Rabbi Jacob Leibhard of Berlin.

Leibhard: Where does the name Leibhard come from?

The last name Leibhard is common most notably in the German-speaking region, specifically in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. It is a very old name which dates back to medieval times in this region. It is thought to have originated from the Old German word "leiba", meaning beloved, and has been found in Germany as early as the 11th century. Today, it is common in many eastern states of Germany such as Bavaria, Thuringa, and Saxony.

The popularity of the name Leibhard is also growing in the United States. According to the 1990 US Census, the name was ranked as the 34,000th most popular name in the United States, but as of 2019, it has climbed to 19,000th. It can be found in every US state as well as a few other countries such as Canada, England, and Australia.

Though it is becoming more popular, Leibhard is still considered a rare name around the world, only being given to 0.001% of the world's population. Despite its rarity, the last name has managed to remain somewhat concentrated in the German-speaking countries, with the United States being the only sizeable population outside of this region.

Variations of the surname Leibhard

The surname Leibhard (or Leibgart) is of German and/or Jewish origin and has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants of the surname Leibhard include Liebhart, Liebharth, Liberti, Leibhardt, Leibgart, Liebhard, Liebhardt, and Liebhart. Other less common variants include Lipphardt, Libhart, Libhard, Libhardt, Liebharte, Liphart, and Lipphard.

Surnames that originate from the same root or have a similar origin to Leibhard include Leibman, Lippman, Lipp, Liberman, Lubman, and Levinson. Some other surnames associated with the name Leibhard include Lobman, Liebman, Lob, Loebman, Levine, and Levenson.

The surname Leibhard was believed to have originally derived from the old Germanic personal name "Leubhard," meaning "bold/loved one." It is likely that the Leibhard surname originated as a nickname, given to a soft-hearted or loving person. Over time, this name slowly evolved into the modern-day Leibhard surname.

The Leibhard surname is quite common, particularly in Germany and other European nations. Variations of this surname can be found among many diaspora ethnic groups such as Russian-Jews, Ashkenazi-Jews, and Hungarian-Jews. The Leibhard surname can also be found in the United States, where it is most popular in Texas and Pennsylvania.

Famous people with the name Leibhard

• Jerrad Eugene Leibhard: An American psychologist who has conducted research in the areas of learning, memory, and motivation.
• Clark Walter Leibhard: The founder of the Leibhard Psychology Clinic in St. Louis, Missouri.
• Karl O. Leibhard: A German biologist and philosopher.
• Erich Leibhard: An Austrian mechanical engineer and professor at the Technical University of Vienna.
• Kurt Leibhard: A German operatic bass-baritone.
• Paul Leibhard: An American author, musician, and inventor.
• Nathan Leibhard: An American actor and singer.
• Mark Leibhard: A professional ice hockey player.
• Bill Leibhard: An American baseball player.
• David Leibhard: An American film and television director.
• Michael Leibhard: A Swiss religious leader.
• John Leibhard: A German-American diplomat.
• Andy Leibhard: An American soccer coach.
• Arthur Leibhard: A German General.
• Adam Leibhard: An American television producer.
• Debbie Leibhard: An American singer and songwriter.
• Henrik Leibhard: A Swedish golfer.
• Joe Leibhard: An American former professional football player.
• Lu Leibhard: An Austrian actress and director.
• Pascal Leibhard: A Swiss production designer.

Other surnames

Leibhardt