Leia
Leia is a girls' name of Hebrew origin meaning “weary; also associated with meadow or child of heaven.” It ranked #297 in the United States in 2025.
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how do you pronounce Leia?
LAY-uh
where does the name Leia come from?
A variant of the Hebrew Leah, given the meaning languid in several languages, including Koine Greek and Portuguese.
A variant of Leah with independent roots, this name surged in popularity following the Star Wars franchise, where Princess Leia Organa became one of cinema's most iconic heroines.
how popular is this name?
Leia has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 22 years since 1978, and fell outside it for 26. It peaked at #211 in 2023, and ranked #297 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #297 |
| 2024 | #289 |
| 2023 | #211 |
| 2022 | #256 |
| 2021 | #295 |
| 2020 | #296 |
| 2019 | #334 |
| 2018 | #296 |
| 2017 | #278 |
| 2016 | #322 |
| 2010 | #832 |
| 1980 | #921 |
| 1978 | #910 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Leia fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Leia
Princess Leia Organa, who first appeared in Star Wars in 1977, gave the name its modern visibility. George Lucas chose it for its likeness to Dejah Thoris, from Edgar Rice Burroughs's Martian novels, and to Tolkien's Galadriel, wanting names that were unusual but not outlandish.
who are famous people named Leia?
- Princess Leia Organa (Star Wars character)
- Carrie Fisher (actress who portrayed Leia)
what are the nicknames and variants of Leia?
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Leia?
what names go well with Leia?
Sibling names that share Leia's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Leia
What does the name Leia mean?
Leia means “weary; also associated with meadow or child of heaven”.
What is the origin of the name Leia?
Leia comes from the Hebrew naming tradition. Related forms include Leah.
How popular is the name Leia?
Leia ranked #297 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2023, at #211, and it has spent 22 years in the top 1,000 since 1978.
Is Leia a boy or girl name?
Leia is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Leia?
Leia is pronounced LAY-uh, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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