Katherine vs Leah

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Katherine

Girl #175 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"pure"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English American Greek Russian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#175
Total SSA Count
1,740
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Kate, Katie, Kathy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Katherine →

Leah

Girl #53 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"weary, delicate, languid"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Hebrew English German French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#53
Total SSA Count
3,969
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Lee, Lea

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Leah →

Popularity Comparison

Katherine Rank #175
Leah Rank #53

Leah is more popular, ranked #53 vs #175 for Katherine.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Katherine ___

  • Katherine Elizabeth
  • Katherine Anne
  • Katherine Grace
  • Katherine Marie
  • Katherine Louise
  • Katherine Rose

Leah ___

  • Leah Grace
  • Leah Anne
  • Leah Marie
  • Leah Rose
  • Leah Jane
  • Leah Joy

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Katherine

William Henry Charlotte Edward Margaret

If you choose Leah

Rachel Jacob Hannah Eli Miriam

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Katherine or Leah more popular?

Leah is more popular, ranked #53 compared to Katherine at #175 in the United States.

What do Katherine and Leah mean?

Katherine means "pure" (Greek origin). Leah means "weary, delicate, languid" (Hebrew origin).

Are Katherine and Leah boy or girl names?

Katherine is primarily a girl name. Leah is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Katherine ← Full profile: Leah Browse all baby names