girls' name · peaked 2009

Leah

A female given name from Hebrew.

Every Leah since 1880 — 256,954 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
123418801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#58
among girls
Babies in 2025
3,880
named Leah
Peak year
2009
6,799 babies
All-time total
256,954
since 1880

The story of Leah

Leah is a top-100 name for girls in the United States, ranked #58 in 2025 with 3,880 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 256,954 American babies have been named Leah. Its peak came in 2009, when 6,799 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Leah stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Leah year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 3,880 #58
2024 3,988 #53
2023 3,976 #53
2022 4,196 #52 6 #11,715
2021 4,474 #46
2020 4,530 #45 10 #7,851
2019 4,780 #43 9 #8,606
2018 5,038 #41 9 #8,557
2017 5,202 #40 9 #8,550
2016 5,434 #37 6 #11,583
2015 5,636 #36
2014 5,610 #35 8 #9,279
2013 5,618 #32 5 #13,268
2012 5,781 #33 5 #13,410
2011 6,400 #29 10 #7,850
2010 6,545 #24 8 #9,328
2009 6,790 #29 9 #8,725
2008 5,634 #40 11 #7,510
2007 4,555 #67
2006 4,657 #68 8 #9,236
2005 4,601 #68 14 #5,761
2004 4,744 #64 15 #5,393
2003 3,925 #81 5 #12,003
2002 3,604 #87 5 #11,751
2001 3,521 #87 7 #8,853
2000 3,399 #97 6 #9,820
1995 3,274 #103 5 #9,716
1990 3,924 #82 9 #5,634
1985 3,572 #78 18 #2,782
1980 3,642 #84 16 #2,909
1975 2,117 #132 9 #3,812
1970 1,672 #192 9 #3,423
1965 1,385 #228
1960 773 #342
1955 592 #356
1950 442 #385
1945 285 #421
1940 365 #334
1935 362 #334
1930 326 #376
1925 444 #316
1920 523 #286
1915 552 #252
1910 207 #269
1905 168 #248
1900 166 #252
1895 203 #192
1890 162 #184
1885 85 #214
1880 54 #210

Famous people named Leah

  1. Leah Goldberg Writer · 1911–1970
  2. Leah Remini Actor · b. 1970
  3. Leah Dizon Singer · b. 1986
  4. Leah Pipes Actor · b. 1988
  5. Leah Smith Swimmer · b. 1995

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Leah mean?

A female given name from Hebrew.

How popular is the name Leah in 2025?

Leah ranked #58 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 3,880 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Leah?

256,954 babies have been named Leah in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Leah most popular?

Leah peaked in 2009, when 6,799 newborns received the name.

Is Leah a boy or girl name?

Leah is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Leah rising or falling?

Leah is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Leah?

Well-known people named Leah include Leah Goldberg (writer), Leah Remini (actor), Leah Dizon (singer).

Names like Leah

Compare Leah with similar names →