Find out how popular the first name Leia has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Leia by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Leia is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 1,421 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Leia.

The history of the first name Leia

The name Leia originates from the ancient Greek language and has its roots in the word "leios", which means "smooth" or "flat". It was likely used as a descriptive name referring to a person's smooth or calm demeanor. The name first appeared in ancient Greek literature and texts dating back to the 5th century BC.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Leia was Leia of Athens, a Greek playwright who lived in the 5th century BC. Her works, unfortunately, have been lost to time, but she is mentioned in the writings of ancient Greek scholars and historians.

In Roman mythology, Leia was the name of a minor goddess associated with childbirth and fertility. She was often invoked by expectant mothers seeking a safe and smooth delivery.

During the Byzantine Empire, the name Leia was relatively common among the Greek population. One notable figure was Leia Komnene, a princess and author who lived in the 12th century (1105-1151). She wrote several historical works and was known for her intelligence and literary talents.

In the 16th century, Leia Mencía was a Spanish painter and one of the few female artists of the Renaissance period. She was known for her portraits and religious works, which were highly regarded during her lifetime (1501-1568).

Another notable figure was Leia Stephanopoulos, a Greek linguist and scholar who lived in the 17th century (1630-1693). She was a pioneer in the study of Greek dialects and contributed greatly to the preservation of the Greek language and culture.

One of the more recent historical figures with the name Leia was Leia Aristarhova, a Russian revolutionary and activist who fought for women's rights and socialism in the early 20th century (1884-1942).

While the name Leia has ancient roots and has been used throughout history, it gained widespread popularity in modern times after the release of the Star Wars films, where Princess Leia Organa, played by Carrie Fisher, became an iconic character.

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 Leia was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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