Leiah is a unique and beautiful name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew name Leah, which means "weary" or "exhausted." According to the Bible, Leah was one of the two wives of Jacob, the patriarch of Israel. She is described as having weak eyes, which may be why her name has the meaning it does.
Despite its meaning, Leiah is a name that has gained popularity in recent years due to its melodic sound and distinctive spelling. It is often associated with strength and resilience, even though it means "weary." This is likely because Leah, the biblical character, was able to bear many children despite her weakness.
The name Leiah may also have some connection to the word "leah," which means "flax" in Hebrew. In ancient times, flax was used to make linen cloth, and it is possible that the name Leiah has some association with this valuable commodity.
Overall, Leiah is a beautiful and unique name with deep roots in Hebrew history. Its meaning may not be as positive as some other names, but its biblical significance and melodic sound have helped it gain popularity among parents looking for distinctive names for their daughters.
Statistics on the Name Leiah:
The name Leiah has had varying popularity over the years in the United States, with a noticeable increase in recent decades. From 1963 to 1978, there were between five and six births per year for girls named Leiah. However, beginning in 1979, the number of births started to rise more significantly.
In 1980, there were 14 births, followed by 16 in 1981, marking a significant increase from previous years. The trend continued with 8 births in 1982, 10 in 1983, and peaked at 12 births in both 1985 and 1986.
After a slight dip in the early to mid-1990s, the number of Leiah births began to climb again. In 1999, there were 18 births, followed by 21 births each year from 2000 to 2002. The trend continued with even higher numbers: 25 births in 2003 and 30 in 2004.
From 2005 onwards, there was a notable increase in the popularity of the name Leiah. Between 2005 and 2012, the number of annual births ranged from 42 to 78. The highest peak occurred in 2012 with 78 births.
Although there has been some fluctuation since then, with numbers ranging from 38 to 66 births per year between 2013 and 2023, Leiah remains a popular name choice for parents in the United States. Overall, since 1963, there have been a total of 1,359 girls named Leiah born in the U.S.
This data illustrates how the popularity of the name Leiah has evolved over time and demonstrates that it has become more common in recent years compared to its earliest appearances on record.