If you're expecting a baby on February 29th or just celebrated your child's leap day birthday, you're part of an exclusive club. Only about 5 million people worldwide get to celebrate their actual birthday once every four years – and yes, that comes with some surprisingly fun perks.
Here's everything you need to know about these rare February 29th babies.
What Are Leap Year Babies Called?
Babies born on February 29th go by several nicknames: leaplings, leapsters, leapers, or leapettes. Whatever you call them, they're all part of a unique group that beats some serious odds just by arriving on their birthday.
8 Surprising Facts About February 29th Birthdays
1. The Odds Are Incredibly Rare
Your average baby has a 1 in 365 chance of being born on any given day. Leap day babies? Their odds are 1 in 1,461. That's nearly four times rarer than any other birthday.
2. They Get to Choose Their "Off-Year" Birthday
Since February 29th only appears every four years, most leaplings pick either February 28th or March 1st to celebrate during non-leap years. Here's the legal twist: In most jurisdictions, March 1st is considered the official legal birthday for aging purposes.
3. C-Section Rates Drop on Leap Day
Medical data shows that c-section rates are lower on holidays and special calendar days, including February 29th. Many families who have scheduled c-sections choose to move them to February 28th or March 1st so their child has an annual birthday.
4. Famous Leaplings Include Celebrities (and Superman)
Your February 29th baby shares a birthday with rapper Ja Rule, actor Antonio Sabáto Jr., French actor Arnaud Valois, singer Dinah Shore, actor Dennis Farina –and even Superman himself.
5. They Share Their Birthday with Fewer People
While most people share their birthday with roughly 21 million others worldwide, leaplings only share theirs with about 5 million people.
6. There's an Actual Club They Can Join
The Honor Society of Leap Day Babies exists specifically for leapsters to connect, share stories, and celebrate all things leap day.
7. They Can Track Two Ages
Many leap year babies keep track of both their annual age (how many years they've been alive) and their quadrennial age (how many actual February 29th birthdays they've had). One mom I spoke with said her 12-year-old leap baby celebrated turning "3" on her last actual birthday – complete with a toddler-themed party as a joke.
8. Birthday Parties Can Be Extra Special
Because February 29th only comes around every four years, many leap day families go all-out when the actual date arrives. One family I know throws a "Leap Day Olympics" complete with four years' worth of saved birthday money for prizes.
When Is the Next Leap Year?
The last leap year was 2024. The next leap year will be 2028.
Upcoming leap years: 2028, 2032, 2036, 2040, 2044, 2048
What Parents of Leap Day Babies Want You to Know
Yes, they do celebrate every year. Most families pick a date and stick with it.
The novelty never gets old. Even teenagers born on leap day think it's cool.
Documentation can be tricky. Some online forms don't recognize February 29th as a valid date.
Are You Part of the Leap Day Club?
Do you have a leap day baby, or are you a leapling yourself? We'd love to hear your story!
Also check out: Fun Facts About Your February Baby
About the Author: Emily Ramirez is a parenting writer with over a decade of experience covering pregnancy, childbirth, and family life. As a mom of two (neither born on leap day, though she admits that would have been pretty cool), Emily specializes in exploring the unique quirks and special moments that make each family's journey one-of-a-kind.
Updated February 2026
Leave a Comment