mom holding newborn baby born in a leap year
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Leap Year Babies - 8 Fun Facts

By Emily Ramirez

Only a few odds-defying babies will be born on February 29th because it's a day that only shows up on a calendar once every four years. Here are some fun facts that go along with being one of these special Leapsters!

Here are 8 fun facts about leap year babies


1. They come with a nickname

Babies born on February 29th are called leaplings, leapettes, leapsters, and leapers. No matter what they’re called, they’re all unique and fabulous.

2. They (sort of) get to pick their birthday

Since most of the time they won’t get to party on the 29th, most Leapers pick between celebrating on February 28th or March 1st. However, the legal birthday gets a bit complicated and varies depending on where you live. Generally speaking, March 1st is the day the person is considered legally aged.

3. They (might) come with super-powers

Famous Leaplings include Ja Rule, Antonio Sabáto Jr, Arnaud Valois, Dinah Shore, Dennis Farina, and Superman!

4. They share their birthdays with fewer people

Leaplings share their birthday with about 5 million other people, while the rest of the population shares their special day with almost 21 million people.

5. They come out beating the odds

The average baby has a 1 in 365 chance of being born on any given day. The odds of having a Leap Day baby is 1 in 1,461. (This is admittedly simplifying birth rates, but you get the point.)

6. Leap day births have lower c-section rates

C-section rates are lower on many holidays, and Leap Day is no different. If it’s possible, many families opt to schedule c-sections for one of the surrounding days.

7. They have their own club

Leapsters can join the Honor Society of Leap Day Babies, where all things Leap Day are celebrated and discussed. I don’t know about you, but there are zero societies associated with my birthday, which is just rude.

8. They get birthday do-overs

Many Leapers keep track of their annual age, as well as their quadrennial age, meaning if they didn’t get the pony they wanted on their 8th birthday, they can have a full on rodeo when they’re 32.

Which Years are Leap Years?

Here are the years that have been and will be leap years from 1800 - 2400. The last leap year was 2024; the next one will be 2028.

Leap Years

Leap Years

1800
1804
1808
1812
1816
1820
1824
1828
1832
1836
1840
1844
1848
1852
1856
1860
1864
1868
1872
1876
1880
1884
1888
1892
1896
1904
1908
1912
1916
1920
1924
1928
1932
1936
1940
1944
1948
1952
1956
1960
1964
1968
1972
1976
1980
1984
1988
1992
1996
2000
2004
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024
2028
2032
2036
2040
2044
2048
2052
2056
2060
2064
2068
2072
2076
2080
2084
2088
2092
2096
2104
2108
2112
2116
2120
2124
2128
2132
2136
2140
2144
2148
2152
2156
2160
2164
2168
2172
2176
2180
2184
2188
2192
2196
2204
2208
2212
2216
2220
2224
2228
2232
2236
2240
2244
2248
2252
2256
2260
2264
2268
2272
2276
2280
2284
2288
2292
2296
2304
2308
2312
2316
2320
2324
2328
2332
2336
2340
2344
2348
2352
2356
2360
2364
2368
2372
2376
2380
2384
2388
2392
2396
2400

Do you have a Leap Day baby, or are you a Leapster?

Let us know in the comments.

Our next reco: Fun Facts About Your February Baby



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