Leah

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Leah

Gender: Feminine
Language: English
Etymology:
Leah comes from a Hebrew name. One source lists it as meaning “Cow,” another says it means “Languid,” while a third says “of unknown origin.”

History:
Leah had been a favorite name among Jewish peoples and 17th century English puritans. In the 20th century, it has been revived and is currently enjoying a decent period of popularity.

Pronunciation: lee-ah.

Alternates: Lea, Lia.
French: Léa.

Famous Bearers:
Religious Figures:
Leah (Biblical)
First wife of Jacob.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.072 % named Leah
0.017 % named Lea

Popularity of Leah:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1800: 90th most popular.
1850: 153rd most popular.
1875: 271st most popular.
1900-1910: 226th most popular.
1910-1920: 263rd most popular.
1920-1930: 323rd most popular.
1930-1940: 360th most popular.
1940-1950: 423rd most popular.
1950-1960: 385th most popular.
1960-1970: 251st most popular.
1970-1980: 137th most popular.
1980-1990: 82nd most popular.
1990: 85th most popular.
1991: 95th most popular.
1992: 99th most popular.
1993: 95th most popular.
1994: 103rd most popular.
1995: 105th most popular.
1996: 98th most popular.
1997: 104th most popular.
1998: 109th most popular.
1999: 104th most popular.
2000: 97th most popular.
2001: 88th most popular.
2002: 90th most popular.
2003: 83rd most popular.

In Ireland...
1998: 27th most popular.
1999: 27th most popular.
2000: 14th most popular.
2001: 12th most popular.
2002: 15th most popular.
2003: 10th most popular.

Popularity of Lea:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1910: 600th most popular.
1910-1920: 680th most popular.
1920-1930: 880th most popular.
1930-1940: N/A
1940-1950: 910th most popular.
1950-1960: 610th most popular.
1960-1970: 498th most popular.
1970-1980: 455th most popular.
1980-1990: 529th most popular.
1990: 523rd most popular.
1991: 586th most popular.
1992: 617th most popular.
1993: 578th most popular.
1994: 585th most popular.
1995: 631st most popular.
1996: 553rd most popular.
1997: 492nd most popular.
1998: 651st most popular.
1999: 636th most popular.
2000: 660th most popular.
2001: 686th most popular.
2002: 651st most popular.
2003: 669th most popular.