"weary, tired"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Leiah
Does Leiah flow with your last name?
A tender biblical name carrying the soul of ancient Israel
Jewish
Christian
Biblical
English
Classic
Spiritual
Gentle
Vintage
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"wild cow, heifer"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Leiah
Leiah is a variant spelling of Leah, the Hebrew name from the Old Testament meaning weary or cow (in the sense of a gentle, domesticated strength). Leah was the first wife of Jacob and mother of six of the twelve tribes of Israel, including Judah (from whom King David and, in Christian tradition, Jesus descended). The alternate spellings Leia, Leiah, and Lea preserve the same pronunciation while offering more visual distinctiveness. Princess Leia from Star Wars, spelled without the h, massively boosted the name recognition of all these variants.
The original Leah has been consistently popular as a traditional biblical name. The Leiah spelling offers parents the familiar sound with a more unusual look. The Star Wars character Princess Leia Organa (1977) created permanent cultural currency for the Leia/Leiah variant, making it feel simultaneously ancient and cinematic.
Leah in the Bible is one of the most sympathetic and complex figures in the Hebrew patriarchal narratives — a woman who was unloved by her husband but was fiercely productive, bearing most of the sons who would become the twelve tribes. Her story is one of quiet dignity and perseverance. In feminist biblical scholarship, Leah is considered a powerful counterpoint to the idealized Rachel.
Historical Record
Leiah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1963.
Over 1,404 babies have been named Leiah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Leiah is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #3,543 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Leah was the mother of Judah, ancestor of King David and the entire Davidic royal line central to both Jewish and Christian messianic tradition
- Princess Leia Organa from Star Wars is consistently ranked among the most iconic female characters in film history
Leiah in Other Languages
Greek
Λεία
French
Léa
German
Lea
Hebrew
לֵאָה
Italian
Lea
Spanish
Lía
Popularity Over Time
#3,543
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Leiah
L
Leah (biblical matriarch)
Religious
First wife of Jacob and mother of six of the twelve tribes of Israel in the Hebrew Bible
P
Princess Leia Organa Fictional
Other
Iconic fictional rebel leader and princess in the Star Wars franchise, played by Carrie Fisher
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,543
- Total SSA Count
- 44
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish Christian Biblical English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Lee
Lei
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Leiah
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Leiah
What does the name Leiah mean?
"weary, tired" (from Hebrew). "wild cow, heifer" (from Hebrew). Leiah is a variant spelling of Leah, the Hebrew name from the Old Testament meaning weary or cow (in the sense of a gentle, domesticated strength). Leah was the first wife of Jacob and mother of six of the twelve tribes of Israel, including Judah (from whom King David and, in Christian tradition, Jesus descended). The alternate spellings Leia, Leiah, and Lea preserve the same pronunciation while offering more visual distinctiveness. Princess Leia from Star Wars, spelled without the h, massively boosted the name recognition of all these variants.
What is the origin of the name Leiah?
Leiah has Hebrew, Jewish, Christian, Biblical, and English origins. In Hebrew, it means "weary, tired". In Hebrew, it means "wild cow, heifer".
Is Leiah a boy or girl name?
Leiah is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Leiah?
Leiah is currently ranked #3543 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Leiah?
Common nicknames for Leiah include Lee and Lei.
What are good middle names for Leiah?
Popular middle name pairings include Leiah Grace, Leiah Rose, Leiah Jane, Leiah Marie, Leiah Hope, Leiah Faith, and Leiah Claire.
What are good sibling names for Leiah?
Names that pair well with Leiah as siblings include Rachel, Hannah, Miriam, Jacob, Joseph, and Benjamin.
How many syllables does Leiah have?
Leiah has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Leiah a common or rare name?
Leiah is an uncommon name, ranked #3543 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Leiah?
About the Name Leiah
Leiah is a girl name with Jewish, Christian, Biblical, and English origins . The name means "weary, tired" in Hebrew .
Leiah is currently ranked #3,543 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Leiah has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Leiah include Lee and Lei. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Leiah include Leia, Leiana, Leiani, Leianna . 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