The nameLeah
Leah is a biblical girl's name, the first wife of Jacob. It has long been popular in the United States and Britain.
- Girl's name
- Hebrew
Meaning
Leah is usually linked to the Hebrew le'ah, "weary", or to an Akkadian word meaning "wild cow".
Origin
Hebrew. In Genesis, Leah is the elder sister of Rachel and mother of six of the twelve tribes of Israel.
History
In the United States Leah has been in the top 100 almost continuously since 1979 and reached 24th place in 2010. In England and Wales it was 24th in 2002 and 2004.
Famous people named Leah
- Leah Remini, actress
- Leah Williamson, footballer
Popularity of the name Leah
Leah in the United States
Leah was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 56,099 births over the decade, 22% of all recorded babies named Leah. Its rise began around 1957, and it peaked in 2009. Half of all babies named Leah in the United States were born before 1998. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 4,230 births a year on average, against 5,223 in the five years before.
Leah in the United Kingdom
Leah was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 21,241 births over the decade, 56% of all recorded babies named Leah. Half of all babies named Leah in the United Kingdom were born before 2005, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 358 births a year on average, against 571 in the five years before.
Leah in Ireland
Leah in France
Leah in Belgium
Leah in Austria
Leah in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Leah
Names from the same generation as Leah, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Leah? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Leah with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Leah side by side with the name of your choice.
Leah in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Leah mean?
Leah is usually linked to the Hebrew le'ah, "weary", or to an Akkadian word meaning "wild cow".
What is the origin of the name Leah?
Hebrew. In Genesis, Leah is the elder sister of Rachel and mother of six of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Is Leah a girl's or a boy's name?
Leah is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Leah?
In 2024, Leah was the 53rd most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 3,969 births.
What are the variants of the name Leah?
Variants and related names of Leah include Leya, Leyah and Lia.
What are good sibling names for Leah?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Madelyn, Gabriella, Eva and Isabella for a sister, Jeremiah, Micah, Emmanuel and Isaac for a brother.
Who are famous people named Leah?
Leah Remini, actress; Leah Williamson, footballer.