Leah: meaning of the Hebrew name
לֵאָה
Pronounced leh-AH
Meaning of Leah
Leah is Leah the matriarch, wife of Jacob and mother of six of the tribes of Israel. One of the four mothers of the nation, she stands for quiet strength and perseverance.
Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
וּלְלָבָן שְׁתֵּי בָנוֹת שֵׁם הַגְּדֹלָה לֵאָה וְשֵׁם הַקְּטַנָּה רָחֵל׃
Leah in Hebrew
Leah is written לאה in Hebrew (with vowel points: לֵאָה). Hebrew is read from right to left.
- לLamed
- אAlef
- הHe
Gematria value: 36 (Lamed 30 + Alef 1 + He 5)
About the name
- GenderGirl
- OriginBiblical
- MeaningLeah the matriarch
- Pronunciationleh-AH
- Hebrewלאה
- Syllables2
Popularity in Israel
In 2024, Leah ranked #31 among girls' names given to Jewish newborns in Israel (542 babies). Its highest rank in 2014-2024 was #25, in 2023.
All years 2014-2024
| Year | Rank | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 31 | 542 |
| 2023 | 25 | 558 |
| 2022 | 31 | 521 |
| 2021 | 35 | 490 |
| 2020 | 36 | 453 |
| 2019 | 33 | 473 |
| 2018 | 33 | 520 |
| 2017 | 32 | 502 |
| 2016 | 38 | 454 |
| 2015 | 40 | 435 |
| 2014 | 37 | 447 |
Source: Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), first names given to Jewish newborns, 2014-2024. Ranks cover the 150 most common names per year.
Similar names
Questions about Leah
What does the name Leah mean?
Leah is Leah the matriarch, wife of Jacob and mother of six of the tribes of Israel. One of the four mothers of the nation, she stands for quiet strength and perseverance.
How do you pronounce Leah?
Leah is pronounced leh-AH in modern Israeli Hebrew. The syllable in capital letters is stressed.
How do you write Leah in Hebrew?
Leah is written לאה in Hebrew (with vowel points: לֵאָה).
Is Leah a biblical name?
Yes. Leah appears in the Hebrew Bible, in Genesis 29:16.
How popular is the name Leah in Israel?
In 2024, Leah ranked #31 among girls' names given to Jewish newborns in Israel (542 babies). Its highest rank in 2014-2024 was #25, in 2023. Source: Israel Central Bureau of Statistics.
What is the gematria of Leah?
In gematria, the Hebrew spelling לאה adds up to 36 (Lamed 30 + Alef 1 + He 5).
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This name in Hebrew: לאה
