Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Lea
GirlFrench, Hebrew· “form of Leah, meaning uncertain”
- Meaning
- form of Leah, meaning uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- French, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- LEE
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #848
- US babies 2025
- 321
- Best rank
- #397 (1970)
- Peak year
- 1970
Meaning and origin of Lea
Lea is often said to mean “form of Leah, meaning uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to French and Hebrew roots.
Lea is a form of Leah used in French, German, Italian and the Scandinavian languages, often written Léa in French. Leah is the Hebrew name of the first wife of Jacob and the mother of six of the twelve tribes of Israel. Its meaning is uncertain: it has been linked to a Hebrew word for "weary" and to an Akkadian word for "cow," but neither is agreed. In English, Lea can also be read as a variant of Lee, "meadow." Pronunciations include LEE and LAY-uh. The name is short, soft and easy to pair with longer middle names.
Popularity over time
Lea has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 145 different years. Its best national rank was #397 in 1970, the same year it reached its highest count of 593 babies. In 2025, 321 babies were named Lea, and it ranked #848 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #925 in 1920, #704 in 1950, #457 in 1980, #663 in 2000, #569 in 2010, and #848 in 2025. Of the 33,848 US girls named Lea since records began, 13% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 4,453 babies. Since 2010, 6,441 more have been named Lea.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Deena, Kimberlee, Bridgette, Annmarie, and Marnie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Lea ranked highest in New York, New Jersey, and Illinois.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #435 | 40 |
| New Jersey | #552 | 14 |
| Illinois | #589 | 17 |
| Mississippi | #594 | 5 |
| California | #651 | 48 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Lea is usually pronounced LEE, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with L and ends in “-ea”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Lee, Leigh, and Li.
Middle names for Lea
A few middle names that flow with Lea: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lea
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Lists that include Lea
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lea mean?
Lea is often said to mean “form of Leah, meaning uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to French and Hebrew roots.
What is the origin of the name Lea?
Lea has French and Hebrew roots. Lea is a form of Leah used in French, German, Italian and the Scandinavian languages, often written Léa in French.
Is Lea a popular name?
Yes. Lea ranked #848 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Lea a boy or girl name?
Lea is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Lea?
Lea is usually pronounced LEE. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings