Leah

Leah is a female given name of Hebrew origin, derived from Le'ah, traditionally translated as “weary” or “delicate.” In the Hebrew Bible, Leah is the wife of Jacob and the mother of six of the twelve tribes: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun; her daughter Dinah is also mentioned in the text. The name has been adopted in many languages, with common variants including Lea in several European countries. In English, Leah is typically pronounced LEE-ə.

In modern usage, Leah has remained a familiar name in English-speaking societies. Its popularity has fluctuated over time but it has consistently appeared in baby-name lists since the 19th century, with peaks and declines depending on cultural influences. The name carries no single contemporary meaning beyond its biblical origins, though it is often associated with family ties and resilience in cultural references.

Notable people named Leah include Leah Remini (born 1970), American actress and activist known for The King of Queens, and Leah Messer (born 1992), American television personality from Teen Mom 2.

Leah also appears in fiction. In Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series, Leah Clearwater is a member of the Quileute tribe and a former ally of the werewolf pack. In Star Trek: The Next Generation, Dr. Leah Brahms is a Starfleet engineer who appears in several episodes, illustrating the name’s use across genres.