Declining since 2010, #58 for girls today.
Popularity of Leah since 1880
Babies named Leah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 809 |
| 1890s | 1,671 |
| 1900s | 1,747 |
| 1910s | 4,253 |
| 1920s | 4,453 |
| 1930s | 3,539 |
| 1940s | 3,495 |
| 1950s | 5,960 |
| 1960s | 12,743 |
| 1970s | 21,145 |
| 1980s | 36,056 |
| 1990s | 34,099 |
| 2000s | 45,430 |
| 2010s | 56,044 |
| 2020s | 25,044 |
Meaning & origin
Leah is a biblical name of Hebrew origin that has seen consistent, strong usage in the United States. First recorded in the Social Security database in 1880, it ranked 58th in 2025, with about 1 in every 414 newborn girls receiving the name. Its peak popularity came in 2009, making it a well-liked choice for many decades. However, the name has been gradually falling in rank since around 2010, suggesting a current downturn in fashion. Leah has proven most popular in states with significant Jewish and Christian populations, including Delaware, New York, and New Jersey. The name's biblical associations and its gentle, simple sound have contributed to its enduring appeal, appealing to parents who seek a name with both religious resonance and modern simplicity.
Leah comes from the Hebrew name לֵאָה (Le'ah). The meaning is debated: it may derive from the Hebrew word le'ah meaning 'weary' (from Genesis 29:17, where Leah's eyes are described as 'weak'), or it could be of Akkadian origin meaning 'cow' or 'goddess'. In the Old Testament, Leah is Jacob's first wife and the mother of six of the twelve tribes of Israel. The name has been used by Jews and Christians for centuries and became common in English-speaking countries after the Protestant Reformation.
Where Leah is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Leah” around the world
Where Leah lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
25
babies in 2024
Ireland
#55
in 2025
New Zealand
#79
in 2025
Quebec
36
babies in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#89
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lee, Lea
Sibling names for Leah
Names that share Leah's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Rachel, Hannah, Sarah, Naomi, Rebecca, Bethany, Dana, Debora, Eve, Kara, Miriam, Mya, Rachael, Rebekah, Sara, Tabitha, Talia, Abagail, Adah, Adina, Alissa, Aliza, Andra, Chana, Chava, Dayna, Dina, Dinah, Ester, Golda, Hadassah, Hanna, Ilana, Jael, Janna, Jena, Jianna, Kaila, Lara, Malka, Mariel, Michal, Moriah, Orpha, Racheal, Rena, Roni, Tamar, Teara, Aide, Aryah, Aubrianna, Bari, Brina, Catina, Debroah, Denia, Elisheva, Geena, Kera, Kyah, Laina, Mahala, Marah, Meah, Meleah, Meriam, Myriam, Naomie, Neomi, Niomi, Rachal, Rachell, Raechel, Randa, Rayanna, Rebbecca, Rebeccah, Rebeka, Rebekka, Rebekkah, Rochel, Rutha, Salena, Sari, Sarrah, Shara, Sharae, Siana, Talitha, Tamarah, Tayah, Teah, Terah, Teya, Tirzah, Tomie, Tova, Yehudis, Yocheved, Abigal, Abra, Adrea, Anah, Aveah, Caleah, Carah, Chani, Channa, Charish, Danah, Danea, Davia, Dearra, Dinorah, Esty, Fraidy, Jenah, Jonae, Kaziah, Keari, Kirah, Korah, Kyria, Leeza, Lynde, Lyza, Maiah, Mariea, Meia, Mical, Mirel, Miryam, Naiomi, Nasya, Neah, Nely, Noami, Rahel, Rainah, Reana, Rebbeca, Reesa, Reeva, Remie, Rheba, Riah, Rifka, Rivkah, Ruchel, Ruthy, Sarha, Saryah, Serah, Shelah, Shian, Shoshanna, Syria, Syriah, Tiah, Toba, Yudith, Zillah, Abagael, Abigayl, Adiya, Amea, Ameriah, Becka, Channah, Deari, Dearia, Debbora, Deboraha, Der, Eleah, Eria, Hava, Jocabed, Kerah, Krisa, Leanny, Leba, Lenae, Lisia, Lyah, Malkia, Marae, Megin, Mirriam, Monea, Mozel, Naarah, Naomia, Nehemie, Noya, Rabecca, Ramah, Reah, Rechel, Reet, Rissa, Ruthanna, Samariah, Sharah, Sheina, Shiah, Shoshanah, Shoshannah, Sorah, Tabita, Tanyah, Teyah, Zilla, Ketura, Milcah, Myrian, Navea, Seara, Zabdi, Acsa, Alissah, Aseneth, Becci, Beila, Bekah, Bekka, Breea, Calah, Caly, Cele, Chanah, Charna, Chavie, Daveah, Deah, Deleah, Devory, Euva, Hagar, Hager, Jahleah, Jiah, Johonna, Jonea, Julea, Keah, Krina, Lache, Laiah, Lind, Mahli, Meeya, Michiah, Milea, Miria, Moria, Muriah, Naome, Naomii, Neyah, Rebacca, Rebakah, Rebecah, Rebeckah, Reni, Reveca, Saraih, Shaynah, Tamrah, Teauna, Teva, Tinya, Tirsa, Torria, Trissa, Veralynn, Yehudit, Yesha
Brothers: Jacob, Benjamin, Samuel, Joshua, Daniel, Aaron, Abel, Abraham, Ari, Aron, Asa, Caleb, Elisha, Ira, Israel, Issac, Joel, Jonah, Jonas, Jude, Luke, Malachi, Nathan, Nehemiah, Noah, Noe, Seth, Simon, Abram, Amos, Aric, Avi, Cain, Chaim, Danial, Dov, Dovid, Eliam, Enoch, Enos, Gideon, Gil, Herschel, Hezekiah, Hiram, Hosea, Isadore, Isiah, Izrael, Jadon, Jair, Jedidiah, Job, Judah, Kenan, Kolbe, Mathias, Menachem, Mordechai, Mose, Moshe, Nate, Omer, Reuben, Rubin, Samson, Saul, Shimon, Shmuel, Simeon, Thad, Tzvi, Uriah, Yaakov, Yael, Yehuda, Yisroel, Yitzchok, Yosef, Zayne, Zeke, Aarron, Abiel, Abran, Adin, Ahron, Akiva, Amon, Aram, Arik, Arin, Avraham, Avrohom, Benjiman, Binyomin, Boaz, Corban, Danniel, Dathan, Daymon, Efraim, Efrem, Elam, Eliah, Elie, Eligah, Esau, Ezekial, Hershell, Isaak, Isac, Isreal, Izaac, Izaak, Izak, Jairus, Jajuan, Jashua, Jathan, Jedediah, Jobe, Joshuah, Josias, Jospeh, Kain, Kobi, Malachai, Mendel, Mendy, Meyer, Mikeal, Naftali, Nahum, Natan, Neftali, Obed, Ozias, Rueben, Salomon, Shad, Shlomo, Sholom, Simcha, Tadd, Taron, Tywan, Yakov, Yitzchak, Yonathan, Zacchaeus, Zak, Zakai, Zev, Abrahm, Adlai, Adon, Arick, Ascher, Avram, Barak, Benuel, Benyamin, Bradan, Calob, Danel, Davied, Dawon, Dayan, Doniel, Edrian, Eliab, Eliaz, Elijha, Elimelech, Ephram, Ephriam, Esaw, Eythan, Gershon, Herchel, Hershal, Hurshel, Issak, Izack, Izik, Jabin, Jaice, Jaiven, Jamen, Joah, Joash, Jonnathan, Josaiah, Joshwa, Jotham, Jubal, Juda, Kalub, Laban, Labron, Manasseh, Mandel, Marshaun, Menashe, Meshach, Michah, Mishael, Moishe, Naaman, Nachman, Naftoli, Naftuli, Nahom, Namon, Nashon, Nyles, Ovie, Pinchos, Reubin, Ruvim, Shaul, Shem, Shloma, Shmiel, Shraga, Tamarcus, Tyris, Tysean, Yared, Yehudah, Yeshaya, Yona, Yonah, Yoseph, Zachari, Zacheriah, Zarek, Zebulun, Zekiel, Absalom, Adom, Aizik, Anav, Beni, Benjimen, Benjimin, Berman, Calab, Danile, Dovber, Eban, Ebin, Edon, Elchonon, Eliasar, Elieser, Ephrem, Esias, Ezechiel, Ezel, Hersel, Hershall, Ishmail, Ishmeal, Isiac, Izekiel, Jahel, Jakim, Janoah, Japhet, Jayen, Jeremiyah, Joas, Johanan, Jonan, Jondavid, Jonus, Joram, Kalman, Keath, Kohan, Matthan, Meilech, Montavius, Mordche, Nachum, Naithan, Naphtali, Nimrod, Phares, Samul, Samule, Schneur, Shadd, Shlome, Tekoa, Torris, Traves, Urias, Usiel, Vash, Yaphet, Yechezkel, Yuriel, Zalman, Zalmen, Aser, Derrien, Ezekeil, Isack, Isaiahs, Jerimah, Kalyb, Abba, Abrham, Aisea, Amram, Avish, Avrumy, Baruch, Benjerman, Chayim, Dvid, Enock, Esaul, Gad, Haim, Isaack, Ishmel, Issachar, Izmael, Jaicob, Jarious, Jaymond, Jefte, Jeptha, Joal, Joseff, Joseh, Josia, Kahleb, Kahner, Kenay, Khael, Khyan, Labrian, Loui, Markale, Mizraim, Moyses, Naftula, Nahun, Nephtali, Nethan, Neziah, Noach, Nussen, Pinches, Rubel, Ruven, Savir, Shemuel, Solly, Solmon, Tejay, Thadd, Yaacov, Yitzhak, Yossef, Zay, Zebulan, Zelig
Names like Leah
Names whose popularity has moved with Leah's over the last 50 years.

