Leah
Leah first appears in US records in 1880. It peaked in 2009, when 6,790 girls were given the name; in 2025 there were 3,880.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Leah popular?
Declining Leah is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 2009 peak.
| 2020s | 25,044 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 56,044 | |
| 2000s | 45,430 | |
| 1990s | 34,099 | |
| 1980s | 36,056 | |
| 1970s | 21,145 | |
| 1960s | 12,743 | |
| 1950s | 5,960 | |
| 1940s | 3,495 | |
| 1930s | 3,539 | |
| 1920s | 4,453 | |
| 1910s | 4,253 | |
| 1900s | 1,747 | |
| 1890s | 1,671 | |
| 1880s | 809 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Leah mean?
Leah is a Hebrew name variously read as “weary” or linked to a word for “wild cow,” a symbol of the herd. In the Bible she is the first wife of Jacob.
Nicknames for Leah
- Lee
- Lea
Variants & spellings
- Lea
- Léa
- Lia
Explore related names
Frequently asked questions
Is Leah a boy or a girl name?
Leah is most commonly used as a girl name.
Is Leah a popular name right now?
Leah is given less often than it was a decade ago, well below its 2009 peak.
How popular is the name Leah?
In 2025, Leah ranked #58 among girls’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Leah most popular?
Leah was most popular in 2009, when about 6,790 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What are common nicknames for Leah?
Common nicknames for Leah include Lee, Lea.