Leiba is a Hebrew masculine given name that means "heart" in Hebrew. The name Leiba is derived from the Hebrew word "lev," which means heart. It is often used as a diminutive of the name Levi, which also means "joined together" or "attached." The name Leiba is traditionally given to boys born on the eve of Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement.
The name Leiba has been used throughout history by several notable figures. One of the most famous bearers of the name was Leiba ben Chaim (1540-1623), a prominent Jewish scholar and author of the Shulchan Aruch, an important work of Jewish law. Another notable figure was Leiba Falkovich, also known as the "Alter Rebbe" or "Old Rebbe," who founded the Hasidic Chabad-Lubavitch movement in the late 18th century.
The name Leiba is not particularly common today, but it remains a beloved and significant name within Jewish communities around the world. Its meaning of "heart" makes it a powerful symbol of love, emotion, and inner strength.
In the United States, the name Leiba experienced a slight increase in popularity in recent years. In fact, there were 5 babies named Leiba born in the United States in 2017 alone. This is a notable number considering that it represents all births of this particular name within that year across the entire country. It's encouraging to see such diversity and uniqueness reflected in naming choices.