The name Lea is a short, sweet, and undeniably elegant choice for a baby girl. But how popular is the name Lea, and what lies behind its enduring appeal? Let’s delve into the meaning, popularity trends, and similar names to explore why Lea might be the perfect fit for your daughter.
(Image of a girl with the name Lea overlayed)
Lea Name Popularity Through the Years
To understand the name’s trajectory, it’s essential to examine its popularity over time. The data below, sourced from the Social Security Administration (SSA), reveals the ranking, number of births, and percentage of births associated with the name Lea each year since 1910.
| Year | Rank | # Births | % Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | — | 0 | 0% |
| 1911 | 753 | 10 | 0.0027% |
| 1912 | 910 | 8 | 0.0016% |
| 1913 | 816 | 15 | 0.0026% |
| 1914 | 876 | 17 | 0.0024% |
| 1915 | 987 | 18 | 0.002% |
| 1916 | 855 | 30 | 0.0031% |
| 1917 | 838 | 34 | 0.0034% |
| 1918 | 755 | 51 | 0.0048% |
| 1919 | 933 | 27 | 0.0026% |
| 1920 | 999 | 24 | 0.0022% |
| 1921 | 1,093 | 19 | 0.0017% |
| 1922 | 966 | 27 | 0.0024% |
| 1923 | 1,194 | 15 | 0.0013% |
| 1924 | 1,397 | 10 | 0.0009% |
| 1925 | 1,046 | 22 | 0.0019% |
| 1926 | 1,092 | 18 | 0.0016% |
| 1927 | 1,187 | 14 | 0.0013% |
| 1928 | 1,011 | 23 | 0.0021% |
| 1929 | 1,480 | 6 | 0.0006% |
| 1930 | 947 | 26 | 0.0025% |
| 1931 | 1,031 | 18 | 0.0018% |
| 1932 | 1,038 | 17 | 0.0017% |
| 1933 | 921 | 24 | 0.0026% |
| 1934 | 1,045 | 16 | 0.0017% |
| 1935 | 942 | 23 | 0.0024% |
| 1936 | 1,343 | 6 | 0.0006% |
| 1937 | 1,027 | 18 | 0.0018% |
| 1938 | 890 | 29 | 0.0028% |
| 1939 | 1,055 | 17 | 0.0017% |
| 1940 | 917 | 27 | 0.0025% |
| 1941 | 819 | 42 | 0.0037% |
| 1942 | 1,001 | 27 | 0.0021% |
| 1943 | 861 | 41 | 0.0031% |
| 1944 | 977 | 27 | 0.0022% |
| 1945 | 891 | 35 | 0.0029% |
| 1946 | 840 | 54 | 0.0037% |
| 1947 | 721 | 96 | 0.0058% |
| 1948 | 731 | 87 | 0.0054% |
| 1949 | 758 | 86 | 0.0053% |
| 1950 | 742 | 89 | 0.0055% |
| 1951 | 695 | 112 | 0.0066% |
| 1952 | 599 | 166 | 0.0095% |
| 1953 | 698 | 123 | 0.0069% |
| 1954 | 591 | 184 | 0.0101% |
| 1955 | 503 | 289 | 0.0157% |
| 1956 | 474 | 343 | 0.0182% |
| 1957 | 522 | 292 | 0.0152% |
| 1958 | 447 | 414 | 0.0219% |
| 1959 | 468 | 380 | 0.02% |
| 1960 | 498 | 334 | 0.0176% |
| 1961 | 489 | 349 | 0.0185% |
| 1962 | 470 | 377 | 0.0205% |
| 1963 | 458 | 412 | 0.023% |
| 1964 | 470 | 378 | 0.0215% |
| 1965 | 455 | 395 | 0.0242% |
| 1966 | 425 | 432 | 0.0277% |
| 1967 | 398 | 481 | 0.0317% |
| 1968 | 423 | 457 | 0.0304% |
| 1969 | 412 | 496 | 0.0322% |
| 1970 | 386 | 569 | 0.0358% |
| 1971 | 405 | 495 | 0.0329% |
| 1972 | 431 | 406 | 0.0298% |
| 1973 | 445 | 381 | 0.0294% |
| 1974 | 430 | 415 | 0.0319% |
| 1975 | 461 | 368 | 0.0286% |
| 1976 | 502 | 313 | 0.0243% |
| 1977 | 479 | 352 | 0.0261% |
| 1978 | 498 | 344 | 0.0256% |
| 1979 | 439 | 428 | 0.0304% |
| 1980 | 460 | 426 | 0.0291% |
| 1981 | 458 | 426 | 0.029% |
| 1982 | 537 | 313 | 0.0209% |
| 1983 | 527 | 313 | 0.0212% |
| 1984 | 502 | 354 | 0.0238% |
| 1985 | 538 | 323 | 0.0213% |
| 1986 | 592 | 276 | 0.0183% |
| 1987 | 562 | 309 | 0.0202% |
| 1988 | 553 | 341 | 0.0219% |
| 1989 | 567 | 350 | 0.0217% |
| 1990 | 516 | 420 | 0.0253% |
| 1991 | 612 | 326 | 0.02% |
| 1992 | 640 | 308 | 0.0193% |
| 1993 | 586 | 360 | 0.0231% |
| 1994 | 591 | 337 | 0.022% |
| 1995 | 666 | 270 | 0.0179% |
| 1996 | 584 | 350 | 0.0234% |
| 1997 | 617 | 319 | 0.0216% |
| 1998 | 635 | 323 | 0.0216% |
| 1999 | 642 | 316 | 0.0211% |
| 2000 | 673 | 306 | 0.02% |
| 2001 | 703 | 301 | 0.02% |
| 2002 | 659 | 341 | 0.0228% |
| 2003 | 680 | 337 | 0.0222% |
| 2004 | 631 | 386 | 0.0253% |
| 2005 | 600 | 431 | 0.0282% |
| 2006 | 612 | 427 | 0.0273% |
| 2007 | 679 | 381 | 0.0241% |
| 2008 | 641 | 432 | 0.028% |
| 2009 | 687 | 373 | 0.025% |
| 2010 | 584 | 453 | 0.0314% |
| 2011 | 555 | 477 | 0.0335% |
| 2012 | 631 | 399 | 0.028% |
| 2013 | 591 | 427 | 0.03% |
| 2014 | 668 | 364 | 0.025% |
| 2015 | 711 | 335 | 0.023% |
| 2016 | 675 | 362 | 0.0251% |
| 2017 | 804 | 266 | 0.0191% |
| 2018 | 678 | 351 | 0.0255% |
| 2019 | 691 | 338 | 0.025% |
| 2020 | 778 | 295 | 0.0232% |
| 2021 | 808 | 276 | 0.0226% |
| 2022 | 795 | 307 | 0.0233% |
| 2023 | 825 | 289 | 0.0223% |
As you can see, while Lea hasn’t consistently topped the charts, it’s maintained a presence and has seen peaks in popularity over the decades.
The Meaning and Origin of Lea
While the SSA data gives us a quantitative view, the meaning adds a layer of depth. Lea has several possible origins and meanings:
- Hebrew: Meaning "weary," a biblical name (Leah was Jacob’s first wife in the Old Testament).
- Latin: Meaning "lioness"
- Old English: Meaning "meadow" or "pasture"
The Hebrew origin offers a sense of history and tradition, while the Latin and Old English roots add a touch of nature and strength. This blend of meanings contributes to the name’s versatile appeal.
Names Similar to Lea
If you’re drawn to the sound and simplicity of Lea but want to explore other options, consider these similar names:
Sound-Alikes:
- Leia: A similar-sounding name, popularized by Star Wars, also with Hebrew origins.
- Leya: Another variant with potential Spanish origins, meaning "the law."
Similar Vibe:
- Bea: A diminutive of Beatrice, offering a similar short and sweet feel.
- Dea: A Latin name meaning "goddess."
- Leda: A Greek name, meaning "woman."
- Lena: Meaning "woman from Magdala."
- Leta: Meaning "gladly."
- Mea: Scandinavian origin.
- Nea: African origin, meaning "lustrous; goal, purpose."
- Rea: Greek origin, meaning "flowing."
- Tea: Italian origin.
- Zea: Latin origin, meaning "grain."
Regional Popularity of Lea
The name Lea shows varying popularity across different regions. A chart of the District of Columbia shows the name’s use over time, although the numbers are relatively small compared to national trends.
Considering Lea
Choosing a name is a significant decision, and Lea offers a unique blend of history, simplicity, and elegance. Its consistent, if not always chart-topping, popularity suggests a timeless appeal. Whether you’re drawn to its biblical roots, its nature-inspired meanings, or simply its beautiful sound, Lea is a name worth considering for your little one.