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Name at a glance

Leah

Leah is a Hebrew biblical name with a traditional meaning often discussed as weary, delicate, or related to wild cow.

Ranked #58 in US baby names in 2025, peaked at #24 in 2010, declining over the past 5 years.

Leah is remembered as Jacob's first wife and the mother of several sons who become central to Israel's tribal story.

Browse names
OriginHebrew
GenderGirl
FeelEnduring
PronunciationLEE-uh

Is Leah biblical?

Yes

Biblical status Direct biblical person

Leah is a named person in Scripture, Jacob's first wife and mother of six of Israel's tribal ancestors in Genesis.

Is Leah a Christian name?

Used by Christians, not distinctively

Christian tradition Christian cultural usage

Leah is used in Christian families as a biblical name whose line leads to Judah and Levi, with the record showing broad modern naming use rather than a saint tradition.

Plain answer

Leah is a biblical name for Jacob's first wife, used widely in Christian families as a graceful Old Testament name rather than through a saint or church tradition.

Confidence Moderate Last reviewed July 19, 2026 How this works

Meaning

The meaning of Leah

Leah's exact meaning is debated, and simple glosses can be uncertain. Many guides mention weary or delicate, while others connect the ancient root differently. The safest reading keeps the etymology modest and lets the Genesis story carry the main significance.

Name story

Seen inside a painful family story

Leah's story is marked by feeling unloved in a divided household. Genesis does not hide the sorrow of her situation.

Yet Leah becomes the mother of several important sons, including Judah and Levi. Her story gives the name dignity, endurance, and unexpected significance.

Biblical arc

A mother in the covenant line

Through Leah's son Judah, the royal line of David eventually comes. Through Levi comes the priestly tribe. That means Leah's role in the biblical story is far larger than her pain.

For Christian readers, Leah can suggest the way God sees and works through overlooked people.

Sound

How to pronounce Leah

Phonetic
LEE-uh
IPA
/ˈliːə/

2 syllables · stress: LEE-uh · ends in a vowel

Forms

Variants and nicknames

Alternate spellings

  • Leia
  • Lia
  • Lea
  • Leya
  • Leigha

Short forms and nicknames

  • Lee
  • Leelee

Languages

Leah in other languages

Hebrew
לֵאָהLeah
Greek
ΛείαLeia
Latin
Lia
Spanish
Lía
French
Léa
German
Lea
Italian
Lea
Russian
ЛияLiya

Christian background

Christian and biblical background

Leah matters in Christian reading because her family line becomes central to the biblical story. Her life also speaks to themes of being seen by God and finding significance beyond human favoritism.

Scripture

The biblical figure

Leah is Jacob's first wife, Rachel's sister, and the mother of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah.

Bearers

Notable people named Leah

  • biblical

    LeahFirst wife of Jacob and mother of six sons whose descendants include the tribes of Levi and Judah

  • modern

    Leah PinsentCanadian actress, daughter of Gordon Pinsent, born 1968

  • modern

    Leah ReminiAmerican actress known for The King of Queens, born 1970

  • historical

    Leah GoldbergLithuanian-born Israeli poet and literary scholar, 1911 to 1970

Naming history

Naming tradition and history

Leah is a concise biblical girl name that has remained widely usable. It feels gentle and modern in sound while retaining ancient roots.

Recent US use

Leah in recent US use

Rank in 2025
#58
Peak rank
#24 in 2010
Recent trend
declining over the last 5 years
Years in the SSA records
146 (since 1880)

Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880-2025.

Sibling fit

Sibling name suggestions

Phonetic neighbours

Names that sound similar to Leah

  • Noah · Both two-syllable Hebrew Bible names ending in the soft -ah sound; very similar gentle rhythm in modern English use.

Pairings

Names paired with Leah

  • Jacobhusband

    Jacob marries Leah through Laban's deception in Genesis 29; she bears six of the twelve sons of Israel including Judah and Levi.

  • Rachelsister

    Leah and Rachel are sisters and rival wives in Jacob's household.

For families

For families looking at Leah

Leah may suit parents who want a short, soft biblical name with real depth. It carries endurance, hidden dignity, and a strong place in the story of Israel.

Common questions

What does Leah mean?

Leah's exact meaning is debated. It is often glossed as weary or delicate, but the etymology is not as simple as some lists suggest.

Is Leah a biblical name?

Yes. Leah is Jacob's first wife and an important mother in Genesis.

Is Leah a Christian baby name?

Yes. Leah is widely used by Christian families because of its biblical roots and graceful sound.

Sources

Sources for Leah

  • A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, Brown, Driver, and BriggsSupports: Hebrew etymology; debated meaning (weary, delicate).
  • The Book of Genesis, King James Version (KJV 1769)Supports: biblical figure Leah; Jacob's first wife and mother of six tribal ancestors (Genesis 29).

Last reviewed July 19, 2026. See our methodology, or report an error on the corrections page.

Read next

Related names

RachelLeah's younger sister; the two are co-wives of Jacob in Genesis 29-30 and matriarchs of the twelve tribes between them.MiriamBoth are Hebrew Old Testament women whose pain and faith shape Israel's history; Leah as the unloved wife whose tribe became David's line, Miriam as Moses' sister and prophetess.HannahBoth are biblical mothers whose stories of longing and prayer are foundational; Leah names her sons in pain at Jacob's preference for Rachel, Hannah names Samuel after years of barren prayer.