MallowbyNames

Leesa

LEE-sah · Of uncertain origin; possibly a variant of Lisa (a short form of Elizabeth) or a modern coinage inspired by names like Lisa and Tessa.

Peak popularity
1956
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Declining since 1987

Declining since 1987.

Popularity of Leesa since 1946

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

1062123181960198020002020Most births 1956Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1940s41
1950s1,125
1960s1,439
1970s622
1980s477
1990s323
2000s81
2010s16
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Leesa is a feminine given name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1946, a mid-century coinage likely inspired by the popularity of Lisa and other similar-sounding names. Its peak year was 1956, when it ranked 2,234, reflecting modest but noticeable usage during the baby boom era. Since 1987, its trajectory has been falling, and it has not been in the top 1,000 for decades. The name's origin is uncertain; it may be a phonetic variant of Lisa (derived from Elizabeth, Hebrew for 'God is my oath') or simply a creative respelling. No top states are associated with Leesa, as it has never been regionally concentrated. While not common, Leesa carries a vintage mid-century feel and remains a distinct alternative to Lisa.

Leesa is a relatively modern name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1946. It is likely a respelling or phonetic variant of Lisa, itself a short form of Elizabeth, or formed on the pattern of other -isa names such as Tessa. The name saw a spike in popularity during the 1950s, peaking in 1956, but has since declined steadily.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Lee, Lees

Variants: Lisa, Liesa, Leesa

Sibling names for Leesa

Names that share Leesa's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Lisa, Tessa, Megan, Amy, Carla, Lessa

Brothers: Kevin, Brian, Scott, David, Jason

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

L is for Leesa, our favorite little girl.

L is for Leesa…”

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

Make Leesa's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Leesa mean?
The meaning of Leesa is uncertain. It is often considered a variant of Lisa, which is a short form of Elizabeth, meaning 'God is my oath' in Hebrew. However, Leesa may also be a modern invented name without a specific meaning.
Is Leesa a popular name?
Leesa has never been a highly popular name. It peaked in 1956 at rank 2,234, according to Social Security data, and has since declined. As of 2025, it is not ranked in the top 1,000 names.
Is Leesa a girl's name?
Yes, Leesa is almost exclusively used as a girl's name in the United States.