Rising since 1986, #1,318 for girls today.
Popularity of Liah since 1979
Babies named Liah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 10 |
| 1990s | 98 |
| 2000s | 406 |
| 2010s | 1,209 |
| 2020s | 983 |
Meaning & origin
Liah is a short and melodic name that has seen rising popularity in the United States since the mid-1980s. First recorded in 1979, it slowly climbed the ranks, reaching its peak popularity in 2022. As of 2025, it sits at rank 1,318, with approximately 1 in every 9,510 baby girls receiving the name. The name is most popular in Arizona, Texas, and Florida, reflecting its appeal in diverse, trend-aware communities. As a variant of Leah, Liah carries the understated charm of a classic name while offering a slightly more modern and streamlined spelling. Its rise in recent decades aligns with the broader trend toward short, vowel-ending names for girls, such as Mia and Ava.
Liah is primarily a variant of Leah, which in Hebrew (לֵאָה) is traditionally understood to mean 'weary' or 'wild cow,' though some scholars suggest an Akkadian origin meaning 'mistress' or 'ruler.' In modern usage, Liah also appears as a shortened form of names like Juliana (Latin 'youthful') or as a creative respelling. The name grew in popularity in the United States beginning in the late 20th century, likely influenced by the trend of short, vowel-ending names.
Where Liah is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Liah” around the world
Where Liah 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, Lia
Sibling names for Liah
Names that share Liah's style, for a brother or sister.
