Lea

Traditionally linked with ‘weary’; the original meaning is uncertain.

Lea belongs to the name family of the biblical Leah, Jacob’s wife in Genesis. Its Hebrew background is clearer than its original meaning: ‘weary’ is a traditional interpretation, not a settled translation. That distinction leaves room to appreciate the name without treating a doubtful gloss as its defining feature. In German, Lea is pronounced /ˈleː.a/, with a long first vowel opening into a separate a. The soft l and unclosed ending give it a light, gentle feel. Its three-letter spelling is visually spare, while the biblical connection gives it a classic character. French Léa is a related spelling; the exact form here is Lea.

Etymology: Lea is a form of the Hebrew biblical name Leah. A connection with a Hebrew verb meaning ‘to be weary’ is often proposed, but the derivation is disputed.