MallowbyNames

Leah

LEE-uh · Weary; or, possibly, cow or goddess.

2025 rank (girls)
#58
Babies named in 2025
3,880
Peak popularity
2009
2025 frequency
1 in 414 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Declining since 2010

Declining since 2010, #58 for girls today.

Popularity of Leah since 1880

Babies named Leah per year in U.S. Social Security records.

2.3k4.5k6.8k1880192019602000Most births 2009Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1880s809
1890s1,671
1900s1,747
1910s4,253
1920s4,453
1930s3,539
1940s3,495
1950s5,960
1960s12,743
1970s21,145
1980s36,056
1990s34,099
2000s45,430
2010s56,044
2020s25,044

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.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k girlstoo few 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

Variants: Lea, Lia, Leahh

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.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

L is for Leah, our favorite little girl.

L is for Leah…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Leah's letter becomes Leah's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Leah's book

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Questions parents ask

What does the name Leah mean?
Leah is a Hebrew name whose meaning is debated. It may mean 'weary' or 'cow,' or possibly 'goddess.' The traditional biblical interpretation connects it to the Hebrew word for 'weary.'
How popular is the name Leah?
As of the most recent data from 2025, Leah ranks 58th in the United States, meaning about 1 in every 414 newborn girls was named Leah. Its peak popularity was in 2009.
Is Leah a boy or girl name?
Leah is almost exclusively a girl's name. In the Bible, Leah is a woman, and it has been used nearly entirely for girls in modern times.