Lea
Lea is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Weary, delicate, or meadow.
Origin and history
Lea is a classic name of Hebrew origin, derived from the Biblical name Leah meaning 'weary' or 'delicate'. It also exists in various European languages as a popular spelling variant of Leah. In the United States, it maintains steady, moderate usage as an elegant short classic name.
Popularity in the United States
33,848 babies in the United States have been named Lea since 1880. It ranks #769 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #760.
States where it is most popular
- CA (15.1 %)
- NY (10.5 %)
- TX (9 %)
- PA (5.1 %)
- IL (4.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 104 |
| 1890-1900 | 186 |
| 1900-1910 | 234 |
| 1910-1920 | 590 |
| 1920-1930 | 663 |
| 1930-1940 | 671 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,099 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,889 |
| 1960-1970 | 4,493 |
| 1970-1980 | 4,453 |
| 1980-1990 | 3,944 |
| 1990-2000 | 3,831 |
| 2000-2010 | 4,250 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,341 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,100 |
Famous people named Lea
- Lea Michele: Actress, Singer
- Lea Salonga: Singer, Actress
- Lea Seydoux: Actress
Fun facts
- While spelled Leah in most English-speaking countries, the spelling Lea is extraordinarily popular in France, Germany, and Scandinavia.
- The name traces back thousands of years to ancient Semitic languages, potentially related to an Akkadian word for 'cow' or 'ruler'.