Leelah
Every Leelah since 2000 — 446 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Leelah
Leelah is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #6,238 in 2025 with 19 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 2000, 446 American babies have been named Leelah. Its peak came in 2018, when 32 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
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 Leelah stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Leelah year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19 | #6,238 |
| 2024 | 18 | #6,545 |
| 2023 | 16 | #7,114 |
| 2022 | 20 | #6,120 |
| 2021 | 13 | #8,293 |
| 2020 | 13 | #8,220 |
| 2019 | 21 | #5,907 |
| 2018 | 32 | #4,411 |
| 2017 | 30 | #4,646 |
| 2016 | 27 | #5,076 |
| 2015 | 23 | #5,758 |
| 2014 | 28 | #4,970 |
| 2013 | 26 | #5,233 |
| 2012 | 24 | #5,651 |
| 2011 | 18 | #7,002 |
| 2010 | 26 | #5,343 |
| 2009 | 14 | #8,701 |
| 2008 | 17 | #7,599 |
| 2007 | 15 | #8,346 |
| 2006 | 17 | #7,352 |
| 2005 | 5 | #18,039 |
| 2004 | 8 | #12,277 |
| 2003 | 6 | #14,946 |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | 5 | #16,820 |
| 2000 | 5 | #16,475 |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Leelah in 2025?
Leelah ranked #6,238 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 19 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Leelah?
446 babies have been named Leelah in the United States since 2000, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Leelah most popular?
Leelah peaked in 2018, when 32 newborns received the name.
Is Leelah a boy or girl name?
Leelah is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Leelah rising or falling?
Leelah is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.