Leeah is a unique and captivating female given name of Hebrew origin. It is derived from the Hebrew word "ley-ah" which means "I have." The name Leeah is typically associated with the biblical figure Leah, who was one of the two wives of Jacob in the Old Testament.
According to the Bible, Leah was the elder daughter of Laban and had a deep love for her sister Rachel. Despite being in love with Jacob, he initially married Rachel due to a deception orchestrated by their father Laban. However, after working seven years to marry Rachel, Jacob discovered that it was Leah whom he had wedded on his wedding night due to a veil covering her face. As a result of this deception, Jacob agreed to work another seven years for Rachel's hand in marriage.
Throughout the Bible narrative, Leah is depicted as being less favored by Jacob than Rachel but bore him six sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, all of whom became leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel. Despite her initial unhappiness in marriage, Leah eventually comes to terms with her situation and finds contentment through her children.
The name Leeah has a rich history and carries significant meaning within Judaism and Christianity. It is a name that embodies resilience, determination, and ultimately, acceptance. Today, Leeah remains a distinctive and powerful choice for parents seeking a unique yet meaningful name for their daughter.
The given statistics show the number of babies named Leeah born each year in the United States from 1977 to 2023. Over this period, a total of 1,305 babies were named Leeah.
The name Leeah saw a gradual increase in popularity during the 1980s and 1990s. The highest number of births in any single year during this time was 24, which occurred in 1996.
However, the most significant growth in the popularity of the name Leeah occurred between the years 2004 to 2012. During these nine years, there were consistently high numbers of babies named Leeah, with a peak of 84 births in 2012. This trend suggests that the name Leeah was quite fashionable during this period.
After 2012, the popularity of the name Leeah began to decline. The number of births fell from 68 in 2013 to just 19 in 2022 and 2023. This decrease indicates that the name Leeah may have lost some of its appeal among parents choosing names for their daughters.
Despite this recent decline, it is clear that Leeah has been a popular choice for baby girls in the United States over the past several decades. With over 1,300 babies named Leeah since 1977, the name has left a significant mark on American naming trends.