Leah

A Hebrew-origin biblical name; proposed literal meanings vary by source and are not fully settled.

Leah is a classic feminine name with Hebrew roots and wide modern usage in many countries. In the Hebrew Bible, Leah is a major matriarchal figure, so the name carries strong cultural recognition in Jewish and Christian traditions, even when it’s chosen today simply as a short, familiar name. Etymologically, Leah comes from a Hebrew form transmitted through scripture and later translations. Many baby-name sources offer proposed literal meanings (often including “weary”), but the underlying derivation is not equally agreed across references, so it’s best to treat the literal meaning as debated while the name’s traditional identity remains clear. In common English use, Leah is usually pronounced LEE-uh, two syllables with a long first vowel. A practical tip is that the spelling Lea is sometimes used as a variant, and a short form like Lee can appear naturally in casual contexts.

Etymology: From a Hebrew name known from the Hebrew Bible; Leah is a matriarch in biblical tradition. Some references propose meanings such as “weary,” but etymology is debated.