Leyah first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Leyah has been for the last 30 years (from 1994 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Leyah

An Arabic feminine name meaning "a gazelle".

Popularity of Leyah by gender

Based on the last 30 years of data, Leyah is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 28 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Leyah.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 28
2022 0 34
2021 0 37
2020 0 45
2019 0 37
2018 0 45
2017 0 54
2016 0 53
2015 0 61
2014 0 67
2013 0 76
2012 0 72
2011 0 83
2010 0 82
2009 0 55
2008 0 54
2007 0 42
2006 0 33
2005 0 46
2004 0 38
2003 0 33
2002 0 24
2001 0 15
2000 0 16
1999 0 16
1998 0 10
1997 0 10
1996 0 8
1995 0 11
1994 0 9

The history of the first name Leyah

The name Leyah is a relatively modern invention, with its origins and meaning shrouded in mystery. It is believed to be a variation of the Hebrew name Leah, which means "weary" or "tired." However, the spelling and pronunciation of Leyah suggest that it may have been influenced by other linguistic sources as well.

One possible source of influence is the Arabic language, where the name Leila (or Layla) is a common feminine name meaning "night." The similarity in sound and spelling between Leyah and Leila/Layla has led some scholars to speculate that the name Leyah may have been a fusion of the Hebrew Leah and the Arabic Leila.

Another theory suggests that Leyah may have been derived from the Sanskrit word "leya," which means "to dissolve" or "to merge." This could potentially connect the name to philosophical or spiritual concepts in Indian traditions.

Unfortunately, there are no definitive historical records or ancient texts that shed light on the origins of the name Leyah. The earliest recorded instances of the name are relatively recent, with the first known person named Leyah being Leyah Alem, an Ethiopian singer born in the late 20th century.

Despite its modern origins, the name Leyah has gained some popularity and recognition in various parts of the world. Notable individuals with the name Leyah include:

  1. Leyah Alem (born in the late 20th century), an Ethiopian singer known for her fusion of traditional Ethiopian music with contemporary styles.
  2. Leyah Shanks (born in the late 20th century), an American author and poet known for her works exploring themes of identity and self-discovery.
  3. Leyah Isadora Fernandez (born in the late 20th century), a Filipino actress and model who has appeared in various television shows and films.
  4. Leyah Jade Batiz (born in the early 21st century), an American child actress known for her roles in television series and movies.
  5. Leyah Shanks (born in the early 21st century), a British singer and songwriter who has gained recognition for her soulful and introspective music.

While the name Leyah may lack a deep historical lineage, its unique sound and possible connections to various cultural and linguistic traditions have contributed to its growing popularity in recent times.

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

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

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"Leyah first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 2, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/leyah-meaning-and-history/.

"Leyah first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/leyah-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 2 May, 2025

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

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