Leia
How to say it: LAY-uh · /ˈleɪə/
Variant of Leah (Hebrew: 'weary' or 'delicate'); also Hawaiian for 'heavenly flowers'. Associated with Star Wars' Princess Leia.
Leia was the 281st most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 1,033 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up about 26% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #274 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #281 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 1,033 |
| Share of births | 1 in 2,772 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | +26% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #274 |
| In France, 2025 | #52 among girls’ names, 300 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Still climbing, Leia is enjoying its best run in the 2020s. Further gains look likely in the years ahead.
What goes with it
Gentle and soft in two syllables, Leia feels delicate and airy. Ayla and Lyra pair naturally alongside.
Middle names that flow with Leia →
Nicknames
- Lei
- Lea
Honouring a Leia in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Leia is about 1 in 116.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French, Hebrew, Portuguese, Spanish.
In France: #52 for girls in 2025.
England and Wales: #429. Ireland: #314.
Famous people named Leia
- Leia Dongue (born 1991)Mozambican basketball player
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Good to know
- Princess Leia Organa is a lead hero of Star Wars
Keep exploring
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