Leah
Leah is a girls' name of Hebrew origin meaning “weary or delicate, gazelle.” It ranked #58 in the United States in 2025. A biblical name borne by the first wife of Jacob and mother of six of the twelve tribes of Israel.
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how do you pronounce Leah?
LEE-uh
where does the name Leah come from?
From the Hebrew לֵאָה, usually derived from a root meaning weary, though an alternative traces it to an Akkadian word for cow or gazelle — an unglamorous reading that fits the pastoral setting of Genesis better than the sentimental one.
Its meaning is debated between 'weary' in Hebrew and 'gazelle' in Akkadian.
how popular is this name?
Leah has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #24 in 2010, and ranked #58 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #58 |
| 2024 | #53 |
| 2023 | #53 |
| 2022 | #52 |
| 2021 | #46 |
| 2020 | #45 |
| 2019 | #43 |
| 2018 | #41 |
| 2017 | #40 |
| 2016 | #37 |
| 2010 | #24 |
| 2000 | #97 |
| 1990 | #82 |
| 1980 | #84 |
| 1970 | #192 |
| 1960 | #342 |
| 1950 | #385 |
| 1940 | #334 |
| 1930 | #376 |
| 1920 | #286 |
| 1910 | #268 |
| 1900 | #252 |
| 1890 | #184 |
| 1880 | #208 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Leah fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Leah
Leah is the elder sister substituted for Rachel on Jacob's wedding night, and the narrative treats her as unloved but fertile: she bears six of the twelve tribal ancestors, including Levi and Judah, so the priestly and royal lines both descend from her rather than from her favoured sister. The name has been in steady English use since the Reformation.
what are the nicknames and variants of Leah?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
who are famous people named Leah?
- Leah Remini (actress)
- Princess Leia (Star Wars character)
what names are similar to Leah?
what names go well with Leah?
Sibling names that share Leah's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Leah
What does the name Leah mean?
Leah means “weary or delicate, gazelle”.
What is the origin of the name Leah?
Leah comes from the Hebrew naming tradition. Related forms include Lea, Léa and Lia.
How popular is the name Leah?
Leah ranked #58 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2010, at #24, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Leah a boy or girl name?
Leah is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Leah?
Leah is pronounced LEE-uh, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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