"weary, delicate, languid"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Leah
Pronunciation: [ l-EE-uh ]
Does Leah flow with your last name?
A biblical matriarch of quiet, enduring strength
Hebrew
English
German
French
Biblical
Gentle
Classic
Soft
Traditional
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Meaning & Origin
"wild cow, symbol of royalty"
Origin: Akkadian
Language: Akkadian
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The Story of Leah
Leah comes from the Hebrew Le'ah, whose exact meaning is debated by scholars. It may mean weary, or it may derive from an Akkadian word for wild cow—which was actually a royal symbol of power in the ancient Near East. In Genesis, Leah was the elder daughter of Laban and Jacob's first wife—the sister who was less beloved than Rachel, yet who bore six of the twelve tribes of Israel. Her descendants include Moses, King David, and according to Christian tradition, Jesus of Nazareth.
Leah has been a consistent top-100 name in the US for decades. The Star Wars franchise gave the similar spelling Leia a massive cultural boost, and some parents who love the Princess Leia connection prefer the traditional biblical spelling Leah.
Leah is one of the four matriarchs of Judaism, alongside Sarah, Rebecca, and Rachel. Despite being the overlooked wife in the biblical narrative, her resilience and fruitfulness made her descendants the most consequential in Jewish history. Her story of finding worth despite feeling unloved resonates across cultures and centuries.
Historical Record
Leah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 232,600 babies have been named Leah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Leah is past its peak , currently ranked #53 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Leah's son Judah gave his name to Judaism, the Jewish people, and the land of Judea
- Leah Remini's bestselling memoir and TV documentary series exposed practices within the Church of Scientology
- The name has cognates across Semitic languages—Layla in Arabic, Leila in Persian—suggesting ancient shared roots
Leah in Other Languages
Arabic
ليا
French
Léa
German
Lea
Hebrew
לֵאָה
Italian
Lia
Spanish
Lea
Popularity Over Time
#53
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2010
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Leah
L
Lea Michele
Actor
1986
American actress and singer known for her role in the TV series Glee
L
Leah Remini
Actor
1970
American actress and activist known for The King of Queens and her documentary exposing the Church of Scientology
L
Leah Chase
Other
1923
American chef known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine, iconic New Orleans restaurateur
L
Leah (Biblical Matriarch)
Religious
First wife of Jacob and mother of six of the twelve tribes of Israel; one of Judaism's four founding matriarchs
L
Leah Clearwater Fictional
Other
Character in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, the first and only female werewolf in La Push tribal history
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Compare Leah with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #53
- Total SSA Count
- 3,969
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew English German French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Lee
Lea
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Leah
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Leah is also used as a boy name, ranked #20863.
View Leah as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
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Old High German origin
"work-power, powerful ruler"
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English origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Leah
What does the name Leah mean?
"weary, delicate, languid" (from Hebrew). "wild cow, symbol of royalty" (from Akkadian). Leah comes from the Hebrew Le'ah, whose exact meaning is debated by scholars. It may mean weary, or it may derive from an Akkadian word for wild cow—which was actually a royal symbol of power in the ancient Near East. In Genesis, Leah was the elder daughter of Laban and Jacob's first wife—the sister who was less beloved than Rachel, yet who bore six of the twelve tribes of Israel. Her descendants include Moses, King David, and according to Christian tradition, Jesus of Nazareth.
What is the origin of the name Leah?
Leah has Hebrew, Akkadian, English, German, and French origins. In Hebrew, it means "weary, delicate, languid". In Akkadian, it means "wild cow, symbol of royalty".
Is Leah a boy or girl name?
Leah is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #53. As a boy name, it is ranked #20863. Leah is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Leah?
Leah is pronounced l-EE-uh.
How popular is the name Leah?
Leah is currently ranked #53 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Leah?
Common nicknames for Leah include Lee and Lea.
What are good middle names for Leah?
Popular middle name pairings include Leah Grace, Leah Anne, Leah Marie, Leah Rose, Leah Jane, Leah Joy, and Leah Claire.
What are good sibling names for Leah?
Names that pair well with Leah as siblings include Rachel, Jacob, Hannah, Eli, Miriam, Samuel, and Naomi.
How many syllables does Leah have?
Leah has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Leah a common or rare name?
Leah is a very popular name, ranked #53 among girl names in the United States.
What girl names are similar to Leah?
About the Name Leah
Leah is a girl name with Hebrew, English, German, and French origins . The name means "weary, delicate, languid" in Hebrew .
Is Leah a boy or girl name? Leah is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #53 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #20,863. Leah is more commonly used as a girl name.
Leah is currently ranked #53 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Leah has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-EE-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Leah include Lee and Lea. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Leah include Lea, Leanna, Leana, Leanne, Leann . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis