The name Leiah is a captivating choice for a baby girl, evoking a sense of modern elegance while carrying subtle historical echoes. But what exactly does Leiah mean, and how popular is it? Let’s delve into the details of this intriguing name.
(Image of Leiah, as in the original)
Leiah Name Popularity
How popular is the name Leiah? The provided data offers a fascinating glimpse into the name’s usage over the past century. While Leiah has never reached the dizzying heights of the most popular baby names, its presence in recent decades suggests a growing appreciation for its unique sound and appeal.
Analyzing the data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), we can observe that Leiah was virtually absent from birth records for much of the 20th century. The name didn’t register in the SSA’s records from 1910 all the way until the year 2000, where it was given to 5 baby girls, ranking at 3,973.
The 21st century has witnessed a gradual increase in Leiah’s usage, with some fluctuation year by year. The number of births recorded for the name varied, with a notable increase in some years, such as 2010 (29 births), 2012 (27 births), 2016 (26 births), 2018 (29 births), and 2020 (29 births). The year 2023 saw 25 births recorded. These fluctuations suggest a growing, albeit inconsistent, trend toward the name’s adoption.
It is important to note that the absence of data for many years doesn’t necessarily mean the name was never used. It simply indicates that the number of births was too low to be included in the SSA’s publicly available statistics. A rank of "—" indicates that there were less than 5 occurrences of the name that year.
Yearly Breakdown of Leiah’s Popularity (Based on Provided Data):
- 1910-1999: Not Ranked (Less than 5 births per year)
- 2000: Rank 3,973, 5 Births, 0.0003%
- 2001-2004: Not Ranked
- 2005: Rank 2,948, 12 Births, 0.0008%
- 2006: Rank 2,958, 12 Births, 0.0008%
- 2007: Rank 3,304, 8 Births, 0.0005%
- 2008: Rank 3,135, 10 Births, 0.0006%
- 2009: Rank 3,342, 7 Births, 0.0005%
- 2010: Rank 2,187, 29 Births, 0.002%
- 2011: Rank 2,660, 15 Births, 0.0011%
- 2012: Rank 2,186, 27 Births, 0.0019%
- 2013: Rank 2,244, 25 Births, 0.0018%
- 2014: Rank 2,759, 13 Births, 0.0009%
- 2015: Rank 2,860, 11 Births, 0.0008%
- 2016: Rank 2,167, 26 Births, 0.0018%
- 2017: Rank 2,228, 23 Births, 0.0016%
- 2018: Rank 2,009, 29 Births, 0.0021%
- 2019: Rank 2,423, 16 Births, 0.0012%
- 2020: Rank 2,451, 29 Births, 0.0023%
- 2021: Rank 3,068, 16 Births, 0.0013%
- 2022: Rank 2,919, 21 Births, 0.0016%
- 2023: Rank 2,700, 25 Births, 0.0019%
Meaning and Origins of Leiah
While the provided data focuses on popularity, the meaning of a name often plays a crucial role in parents’ choices. Although not explicitly stated, Leiah is phonetically similar to names such as Leah and Leia, of Hebrew origin, meaning "weary." While the meanings can vary depending on interpretation and origin, the similarity to Leah and Leia give a good indication of its meaning.
Names Like Leiah
For those drawn to the sound and style of Leiah, several alternative names offer similar appeal.
Names that Sound Like Leiah:
- Leah: (Hebrew) "Weary one" – A classic and popular choice.
- Leia: (Hebrew) "Weary one" – Made famous by Star Wars, this name has a strong, independent feel.
- Leigh: (Hebrew) "Delicate; weary; meadow or pasture" – Can be used for both boys and girls.
Similar Names:
- Ledah: (Latin) "Small winged one" – A unique and whimsical option.
- Leilah: (Arabic) "Night beauty" – Evokes a sense of mystery and elegance.
- Leith: (Scottish) "Broad river" – A nature-inspired name with a strong sound.
- Lelah: (Arabic) "Night beauty" – Similar to Leilah, but slightly less common.
- Lenah: (Greek) "Light" – A bright and cheerful name with a simple elegance.
In conclusion, Leiah is a distinctive name with a modern feel, drawing from similar names with Hebrew origins. The name’s increasing usage in recent years suggests it could be a rising star in the world of baby names, offering parents a unique and meaningful choice for their daughter.