Meaning, origin, history
Leah is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew word "lhavah," which means "weary" or "exhausted." In the Bible, Leah was one of the two wives of Jacob and the mother of seven of his sons. She is described as having weak eyes, hence her name being translated to mean "weary-eyed."
Despite its origins, Leah has become a popular choice for baby girls in recent years. It has gained popularity due to its unique sound and spelling, as well as its association with the strong-willed character of Leah from the Bible.
In terms of pronunciation, Leah is typically pronounced /liːə/. It consists of two syllables, with emphasis placed on the first syllable "Lee." The name can also be spelled in various ways, such as Leia or Layla, but the most common spelling remains Leah.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Leah since 1880
Total births
467
Total since 1880
Peak year
1989
24 births
in 2022
6
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
+21%
↗
vs previous 5 years