Leelah is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "dancing." It is believed to have originated from the biblical character Leah, who was the sister of Rachel and wife of Jacob in the Old Testament. According to the story, Leah was loved by God but not by her husband Jacob, who preferred Rachel. Despite this, Leah remained devoted to her family and bore many children.
The name Leelah is often associated with strength, resilience, and devotion, qualities that Leah exhibited throughout her life. It is also a name that has gained popularity in recent years as a unisex option, although it is still relatively rare compared to other names.
In terms of its history, the name Leelah has only been used in small numbers over time. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, the name first appeared on the list of baby names registered in 1960 and reached its peak popularity in 2017 when it was given to 285 baby girls that year.
Overall, Leelah is a unique and meaningful name with deep roots in biblical history. Its association with strength and devotion makes it an appealing choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their daughter or son.
The name Leelah has seen a varied trend in its popularity over the past two decades in the United States. Between the years 2000 and 2023, there have been a total of 408 babies born with this name. The most popular year for the name was 2018, with a total of 32 births. However, it seems that popularity has declined in recent years, with only 16 births recorded in 2023.
It's interesting to note that there were no recorded births of the name Leelah in the United States for several years between 2002 and 2005. The name then began to gain traction again from 2006 onwards, with a significant increase in popularity seen between 2010 and 2014.
Despite its ups and downs in popularity, the name Leelah has maintained a consistent presence in the United States over the past two decades. It will be interesting to see whether this trend continues or changes in the coming years.