Aleigha first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Aleigha has been for the last 43 years (from 1981 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Aleigha

A feminine diminutive form of Alexa or Alexandra, meaning "defender of mankind".

Popularity of Aleigha by gender

Based on the last 43 years of data, Aleigha is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 68 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Aleigha.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 68
2022 0 64
2021 0 97
2020 0 99
2019 0 119
2018 0 140
2017 0 171
2016 0 181
2015 0 219
2014 0 241
2013 0 294
2012 0 315
2011 0 267
2010 0 252
2009 0 233
2008 0 174
2007 0 146
2006 0 178
2005 0 126
2004 0 147
2003 0 125
2002 0 152
2001 0 130
2000 0 130
1999 0 91
1998 0 91
1997 0 69
1996 0 60
1995 0 59
1994 0 58
1993 0 30
1992 0 30
1991 0 26
1990 0 27
1989 0 18
1988 0 17
1987 0 9
1986 0 15
1985 0 14
1984 0 12
1983 0 9
1982 0 22
1981 0 12

The history of the first name Aleigha

The name Aleigha is believed to have its origins in the ancient Celtic culture, tracing back to the region now known as Ireland and Scotland. It is derived from the old Gaelic words "ail" meaning "rock" or "stone" and "ighean" meaning "maiden" or "young woman". The earliest recorded spelling of the name was "Aileagh", which later evolved into various forms like "Aleagh", "Aleagha", and eventually "Aleigha".

In ancient Celtic folklore, the name Aleigha was associated with strength, resilience, and a connection to the earth. It was often given to daughters born in remote mountainous regions, symbolizing their ability to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment.

One of the earliest known historical references to the name Aleigha can be found in the ancient Irish annals known as the Annals of the Four Masters, which date back to the 7th century AD. These annals mention an Irish noblewoman named Aleigha of the Uí Briúin dynasty, who played a significant role in the political affairs of her time.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Aleigha. One such person was Aleigha MacLean (1570-1648), a Scottish chieftain from the Isle of Mull, who was known for her bravery and leadership during the clan wars of the 16th and 17th centuries.

Another prominent figure was Aleigha O'Donnell (1685-1755), an Irish poet and harpist from County Donegal, whose works celebrated the rich cultural heritage of her homeland. Her compositions were widely acclaimed and helped preserve the traditional Gaelic music and language.

In the realm of literature, Aleigha Macdonald (1810-1891) was a Scottish writer and folklorist who documented the traditional tales and legends of the Hebrides islands. Her collection of stories, known as the "Folklore of the Western Isles", remains an invaluable resource for historians and scholars studying Celtic culture.

More recently, Aleigha Fitzpatrick (1920-2005) was an American artist and sculptor, renowned for her sculptures depicting the beauty and strength of the female form. Her works have been exhibited in prestigious galleries and museums across the United States.

Lastly, Aleigha Browning (1946-present) is a British actress and writer, best known for her roles in several popular television series, including "Upstairs, Downstairs" and "Coronation Street". She has also authored several acclaimed books, both fiction and non-fiction, exploring themes of family, relationships, and self-discovery.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Aleigha was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Aleigha, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Aleigha first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 31, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/aleigha-meaning-and-history/.

"Aleigha first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/aleigha-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 31 October, 2024

Aleigha first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/aleigha-meaning-and-history/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.