Girl name · Hebrew
Leah
“weary; wild cow”
Vibes
Common nicknames
Short-forms and diminutives parents often use for Leah.
Explore Leah further
Similar-feel alternatives, or middle-name candidates that pair well with Leah — both ranked by the same scoring system (vibe overlap, syllable rhythm, origin compatibility).
About the name
Leah has two competing etymologies and neither is flattering: Hebrew le'ah, weary, or Akkadian littu, wild cow. The second is probably older and was not an insult — cattle imagery in the ancient Near East meant strength and value, not dullness.
The Biblical Leah is the unloved first wife of Jacob and the mother of six of the twelve tribes, which gives the name more narrative weight than most. It has been quietly inside the US top 100 for decades and now sits at number 58.
It is short enough to resist clipping. Two syllables want two or three (Leah Josephine, Leah Marguerite). On our vibe map it is Heirloom with Modern Minimalist plainness.
More Hebrew names
Leah sits in our Hebrew set — these share its roots.
All Hebrew names →Leah — common questions
Is Leah a boy or girl name?
Leah is traditionally a girl name of Hebrew origin.
What does the name Leah mean?
Leah means “weary; wild cow” of Hebrew origin. Leah has two competing etymologies and neither is flattering: Hebrew le'ah, weary, or Akkadian littu, wild cow. The second is probably older and was not an insult — cattle imagery in the ancient Near East meant strength and value, not dullness.
Where does the name Leah come from?
Leah is Hebrew in origin. The Biblical Leah is the unloved first wife of Jacob and the mother of six of the twelve tribes, which gives the name more narrative weight than most. It has been quietly inside the US top 100 for decades and now sits at number 58.
What are common nicknames for Leah?
Lee and Lele — the short-forms parents most often use for Leah.
How popular is Leah?
Leah did not make the top 1,000 girls' names in US Social Security Administration data for 2025, which makes it genuinely rare in the US.
Bring the name into the room
A couple of nice things named Leah you might want for the nursery.