A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Leora since 1880
Babies named Leora per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Leora's real moment was 1904.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 288 |
| 1890s | 528 |
| 1900s | 769 |
| 1910s | 1,846 |
| 1920s | 2,165 |
| 1930s | 1,304 |
| 1940s | 828 |
| 1950s | 648 |
| 1960s | 468 |
| 1970s | 332 |
| 1980s | 402 |
| 1990s | 379 |
| 2000s | 523 |
| 2010s | 862 |
| 2020s | 777 |
Meaning & origin
Leora has been in use since at least 1880, when it first appeared in U.S. Social Security records. It reached its peak popularity in 1904, and after a long decline, it has been rising again since 1992. In 2025, it ranked #1352, with approximately 1 in 9,861 newborn girls receiving the name. The name is most common in New Jersey, Minnesota, and Maryland. Leora balances a classic sound with a spiritual meaning of light, appealing to parents seeking a name with Hebrew roots that remains understated.
Leora is a variant of the Hebrew name Liora, which derives from the Hebrew root 'or' meaning 'light'. It has been used in Jewish communities for centuries, though its adoption in English-speaking countries began in the late 19th century. The name's similarity to the Latin 'Leora' (from 'leon' meaning lion) has sometimes led to cross-cultural associations, but the Hebrew origin is primary.
Where Leora 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.
“Leora” around the world
Where Leora lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lee, Lori, Rora
Sibling names for Leora
Names that share Leora's style, for a brother or sister.
