Lea

♀ Girl

Pronounced LEE-uh /ˈliː.ə/High

Meaning: Variant of Leah, from the Hebrew le'ah meaning 'weary' or 'delicate cow'; also related to the Old English leah (meadow, woodland clearing) and the Latin leo (lion), depending on cultural contextHigh

In 30 seconds: Lea is a soft, versatile name used across Hebrew, English, and European traditions. As a variant of Leah it means weary or delicate; as a place-name element it means meadow; in some European traditions it echoes lioness. All paths lead to grace.

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Origin HighHebrew, Latin, Old English

MeaningVariant of Leah, from the Hebrew le'ah meaning 'weary' or 'delicate cow'; also related to the Old English leah (meadow, woodland clearing) and the Latin leo (lion), depending on cultural context

U.S. rank (2025)#848 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births321 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1970

Total births (all-time)≈ 33,841

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Lea is a simplified spelling of Leah, from the Hebrew le'ah, meaning 'weary' or 'wild cow' (a term that may actually indicate 'antelope' in modern interpretations). Leah in the Hebrew Bible was the elder daughter of Laban, first wife of Jacob, and mother of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah. As an Old English element, leah means 'meadow' and appears in countless place names.

Lea is common as a given name in Germany, France, Scandinavia, and other European countries, where it functions partly as a form of Leah and partly as an independent name. In France, Lea has been among the most popular girls names in recent decades. In the United States, both Lea and Leah are in regular use. The name also gained modern recognition through Princess Leia (spelled differently) in Star Wars.

Did you know? Leah, the biblical figure whose name underlies Lea, was the first wife of Jacob in the Hebrew Bible — and despite being overlooked in favor of her sister Rachel, she was the mother of six of the twelve tribes of Israel, making her one of the most consequential figures in Jewish genealogy.

Overall data confidence 86%

Behind the Name — Leah/Lea — Hebrew etymology and European usageU.S. Social Security Administration — Lea popularity data

Variations

LeahLiaLeia

Nicknames

Lee

Famous Bearers

★Lea Michele (1986–present)
American actress and singer known for her role as Rachel Berry on the television series Glee.

If you like Lea…

Leah— the standard Hebrew spelling of the same name

Lia— a similar short European form sharing the same sound

Maya— same soft two-syllable international feminine feel

Nora— shares the gentle two-syllable classic European quality

Frequently Asked

What does the name Lea mean?

Lea means weary or delicate as a variant of Hebrew Leah; it also connects to the Old English leah meaning meadow.

How do you pronounce Lea?

It is said LEE-uh, with two syllables.

Is Lea the same as Leah?

Lea is a simplified European spelling of Leah; they share the same Hebrew root and pronunciation.

Is Lea a popular name?

Lea is very popular in France and Germany, and is well used in the United States as a variant of Leah.