Declining since 2017, #6,116 for girls today.
Popularity of Leelah since 2000
Babies named Leelah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 92 |
| 2010s | 255 |
| 2020s | 99 |
Meaning & origin
Leelah is a modern name that first entered U.S. birth records in 2000. It reached its peak popularity in 2018, but its usage has been declining since 2017. In 2025, the name ranked 6,116th with approximately 1 in 84,593 newborns receiving it. Classified as a girl's name, Leelah follows a contemporary naming trend of soft, vowel-heavy names ending in '-ah'. The name does not have a long-established history or well-documented origins, making it a truly modern choice. Although no states showed a notable concentration, Leelah has seen scattered use across the country.
Leelah first appeared in official U.S. records in the year 2000. It is likely a modern invented name, possibly influenced by names like Leela (from Sanskrit meaning 'play' or 'divine performance') or Layla (Arabic for 'night'). Its rise in usage during the 2010s, peaking in 2018, aligns with a trend for melodic, endearing names ending in '-ah'. There is no evidence of historical use prior to 2000.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lee, Lea, Lala
Sibling names for Leelah
Names that share Leelah's style, for a brother or sister.
