The nameLea
Lea is a short girl's name with two roots: the biblical Leah and the Latin for "lioness". It is a favourite in Europe.
- Girl's name
- Hebrew or Latin
- Feast day
Meaning
Lea can come from the Hebrew Leah, perhaps "weary" or "wild cow", or from the Latin lea, "lioness".
Origin
Hebrew or Latin.
History
Leah is the first wife of Jacob in the Bible. Léa has been one of the top girl's names in France. In the United States Lea reached 397th in 1970.
Lea in other languages
Léa is the French form of Leah. It is Lea in German, Italian and the Nordic countries, Lía in Spanish and Le'ah in Hebrew, the language of the Bible, where she is the first wife of Jacob.
Did you know?
- In 2013 Léa Seydoux shared the Palme d'Or for Blue Is the Warmest Colour with her co-star and the director, a first for actresses.
- Lea Salonga won a Tony Award for Miss Saigon and was the singing voice of Jasmine in Aladdin and of Mulan.
Famous people named Lea
- Léa Seydoux, actress
- Lea Michele, actress
- Lea Salonga, singer
Popularity of the name Lea
Lea in the United States
Lea was most popular in the United States in the 1960s, with 4,554 births over the decade, 13% of all recorded babies named Lea. Its rise began around 1914, and it peaked in 1970. Half of all babies named Lea in the United States were born before 1982, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 355 births a year.
Lea in the United Kingdom
Lea was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 753 births over the decade, 38% of all recorded babies named Lea. Half of all babies named Lea in the United Kingdom were born before 2012, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 69 births a year.
Lea in France
Lea in Belgium
Lea in Switzerland
Lea in Austria
Lea in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Lea
Names from the same generation as Lea, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Lea? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Lea with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Lea side by side with the name of your choice.
Lea in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lea mean?
Lea can come from the Hebrew Leah, perhaps "weary" or "wild cow", or from the Latin lea, "lioness".
What is the origin of the name Lea?
Hebrew or Latin.
Is Lea a girl's or a boy's name?
Lea is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Lea?
In 2024, Lea was the 834th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 324 births.
What are the variants of the name Lea?
Variants and related names of Lea include Leane, Leya, Lia and Lya.
What are good sibling names for Lea?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Anika, Johanna, Dalia and Simone for a sister, Aron, Sam, Noé and Simeon for a brother.
Who are famous people named Lea?
Léa Seydoux, actress; Lea Michele, actress; Lea Salonga, singer.