Leah Name Meaning and Origin
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Leah is a biblical name of Hebrew origin. It means “delicate” or “weary”. In the Bible, Leah was the daughter of Laban, sister of Rachel, and the first wife of Jacob. Her sons became the fathers of six of the 12 tribes of Israel.
- Origin: Hebrew (from la’ah, meaning “weary”)
- Gender: Traditionally feminine
- Pronunciation: L-EE-uh or L-AY-uh
Note: Gender should not limit your choice. Pick a name that feels right for your baby.
Popularity of the Name Leah
Leah has been a classic and enduring name over the years.
- First appeared in the Social Security Administration’s top 1,000 names for baby girls in 1900, ranked at 252.
- Lowest rank: 431 in 1946.
- Peaked at 24 in 2010.
- Recent rank: 53 in 2024.
The Star Wars character Princess Leia also contributed to its popularity in the late 1970s.
Variations of Leah
Leah has equivalents in many languages:
- Lea: Croatian, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, Hungarian, German, Norwegian, Slovene, Swedish, Polish
- Léa: French
- Leia: Greek
- Lėja: Lithuanian
- Lia: Italian, Portuguese, Romanian
- Liia: Estonian
- Lija: Latvian
Similar Names
Names that sound like Leah:
- Layla, Leanne, Lila, Lily, Lina, Lola, Lydia, Mia
Other biblical names:
- Abigail, Dinah, Hannah, Mary, Naomi, Priscilla, Rachel, Rebecca, Sarah
Other “L” names:
- Lacey, Laura, Lauren, Leilani, Leslie, Leticia, Lexi, Liliana, Lillian, Logan, London, Lorelai, Louisa, Lucille, Luna
Suggested Sibling Names for Leah
If you’re naming siblings, some popular options include:
- Alexander, Alyssa, Amanda, Andrew, Caleb, Daniel, Evelyn, Gloria, Liam, Nathan, Samuel, Sofia, Zoe
Famous People Named Leah
- LEAH – Canadian heavy metal musician
- Leah Chase – American chef, author, TV personality
- Leah McSweeney – Fashion designer and TV personality
- Leah Remini – American actor
- Lea Salonga – Tony Award-winning singer and actor
- Lea Thompson – Actor
Fictional Leahs
- Queen Leah – Mother of Princess Aurora in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty (1959)
- Leia Organa (Princess Leia) – Star Wars hero
- Leah Brahms – Scientist in Star Trek: The Next Generation
- Leah Shaw – Survivor in The Walking Dead
- Leah Burke – Character in Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Tips for Choosing the Name Leah
- Consider the meaning – delicate, biblical, classic.
- Pair with a complementary middle name for flow.
- Check for pop culture influences if you like famous references.
- Explore variations if you want a unique twist.
Conclusion
Leah is a timeless name with strong biblical roots, elegant sound, and wide popularity across cultures. Whether you choose the classic spelling or a variation like Léa or Lia, Leah is a meaningful choice that works well with many first and middle names.
