Leah sits comfortably in the UK charts at #184 in 2024 — recognisable but not overwhelming. Your child may occasionally share their name.
Origin & Meaning
Hebrew — Weary; wild cow
📊
UK Rank 2024
#184
US Rank #53
About the Name Leah
Leah is gradually declining in popularity, having dropped 41 places over five years. Its high point was #24 in 2002, and it now sits at #184. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996. It has spent 22 of the last 29 years inside the UK top 100 — a mark of enduring mainstream appeal.
Etymologically, Leah comes from Hebrew, where it means "Weary; wild cow". Names with strong etymological stories tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles.
Leah is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it ranks even higher at #53, where it enjoys a particularly strong following.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Leah
Unlikely. With around 265 UK babies named Leah per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Leah in her class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Leah has been declining in UK popularity, dropping 41 places in the last five years. Its peak was #24 in 2002. Choosing it now means she is likely to be among the last of her generation with this name.
The name Leah has Hebrew origins and means "Weary; wild cow". Names with clear etymological roots tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles and give children a story to tell about their name.
Notable people named Leah include: Leah Williamson — Leah Cathrine Williamson is an English professional footballer who plays for Women's Super League club Arsenal and captains the England women's national team.; Leah Gazan — Leah Gazan is a Canadian politician.; Leah Pruett — Leah Christine Pruett is an American semi-retired drag racer, who last drove an NHRA Top Fuel dragster for Tony Stewart Racing..
Leah ranks #53 in the US (2024), making it comfortably inside the American top 100. It's well-liked on both sides of the Atlantic.
265
UK babies named Leah (2024)
~0.0
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.1
In a school of 600
↓ 41 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Leah
Likely around 1 other Leah in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Leah
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Leah Cathrine Williamson is an English professional footballer who plays for Women's Super League club Arsenal and captains the England women's national team. A versatile player, she plays in central defence or in midfield, and has spent her entire senior domestic career at Arsenal.
Leah Gazan is a Canadian politician. A member of the New Democratic Party (NDP), she was first elected to the House of Commons of Canada in the 2019 Canadian federal election, serving as the member of Parliament (MP) for Winnipeg Centre.
Leah (Girdwood) Martin is a Canadian politician who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2024 general election. She represents Cole Harbour as a member of the Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia.
Leah Francis Greenberg is an American political activist and co-founder of the progressive non-profit organization Indivisible. She is co-author of We Are Indivisible: A Blueprint for Democracy After Trump, published in 2019.
Leah Hirsig was an American schoolteacher and occultist, notable for her magical record diary, The Magical Record of the Scarlet Woman, which describes her experiences and visions as an associate, friend, and victim of occult writer Aleister Crowley. She was the most famous of Crowley's "Scarlet Women".