"weary; tired"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Leia
Pronunciation: [ l-EE-ah ]
Does Leia flow with your last name?
The galaxy's most iconic princess, now a rising baby name
American
Jewish
Pop culture
Modern
Bold
Literary
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"child of heaven"
Origin: Hawaiian/Polynesian
Language: Hawaiian
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Things to Know About This Name
- Overwhelmingly associated with Princess Leia from Star Wars — most see this as a positive, but it is essentially a pop culture name
The Story of Leia
Leia is a variant of Leah, from the Hebrew Le'ah, meaning weary or tired. In Genesis, Leah was the first wife of Jacob and mother of six of the twelve tribes of Israel. In Hawaiian/Polynesian, leia can mean child of heaven. However, in the modern world, the name is inseparable from Princess Leia Organa of Star Wars, created by George Lucas in 1977.
Leia has risen dramatically since the Star Wars revival of 2015-2019. The death of Carrie Fisher in 2016 prompted a wave of tribute babies named Leia. It entered the US top 200 around 2015, the year The Force Awakens released, and has continued rising. It is one of the clearest examples of pop culture directly reshaping naming trends.
Princess Leia Organa is one of the most iconic characters in cinematic history — a strong, political, capable heroine who defined a generation's idea of female heroism in science fiction. Carrie Fisher's portrayal made Leia a feminist icon. The name carries the weight of one of the most beloved film franchises ever made.
Historical Record
Leia first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 17,729 babies have been named Leia in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Leia is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #290 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The US Social Security Administration recorded a spike in babies named Leia in 2016, the year Carrie Fisher passed away
- Princess Leia's iconic double-bun hairstyle is one of the most recognized looks in film history
Leia in Other Languages
French
Leia
Hebrew
לֵאָה (Leah)
Spanish
Leia
Hawaiian
Leia
Japanese
レイア
Popularity Over Time
#290
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Leia
C
Carrie Fisher
Actor
1956
American actress and writer who portrayed Princess Leia in Star Wars from 1977 to 2019
P
Princess Leia Organa Fictional
Other
Fictional heroine of Star Wars, played by Carrie Fisher — one of cinema's most iconic female characters
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Compare Leia with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #290
- Total SSA Count
- 1,094
- Cultural Origins
- American Jewish Pop culture
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Lay
Lei
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, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Leia
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Leia
What does the name Leia mean?
"weary; tired" (from Hebrew). "child of heaven" (from Hawaiian/Polynesian). Leia is a variant of Leah, from the Hebrew Le'ah, meaning weary or tired. In Genesis, Leah was the first wife of Jacob and mother of six of the twelve tribes of Israel. In Hawaiian/Polynesian, leia can mean child of heaven. However, in the modern world, the name is inseparable from Princess Leia Organa of Star Wars, created by George Lucas in 1977.
What is the origin of the name Leia?
Leia has Hebrew, Hawaiian/Polynesian, American, Jewish, and Pop culture origins. In Hebrew, it means "weary; tired". In Hawaiian/Polynesian, it means "child of heaven".
Is Leia a boy or girl name?
Leia is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Leia?
Leia is pronounced l-EE-ah.
How popular is the name Leia?
Leia is currently ranked #290 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Leia?
Common nicknames for Leia include Lay and Lei.
What are good middle names for Leia?
Popular middle name pairings include Leia Grace, Leia Rose, Leia Marie, Leia Jane, Leia Ann, Leia Dawn, and Leia Hope.
What are good sibling names for Leia?
Names that pair well with Leia as siblings include Luke, Han, Rey, Finn, Anakin, Jyn, Cassian, and Mara.
How many syllables does Leia have?
Leia has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Leia a common or rare name?
Leia is a popular name, ranked #290 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Leia?
About the Name Leia
Leia is a girl name with American, Jewish, and Pop culture origins . The name means "weary; tired" in Hebrew .
Leia is currently ranked #290 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Leia has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-EE-ah, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Leia include Lay and Lei. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Leia include Leilani, Leila, Leighton, Leilany, Leilah . 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