Discover people named לאה תירוש

The name Leah originates from the Hebrew word "לֵאָה" (Le'ah). Its most probable meaning is "weary." Some scholars suggest alternative etymologies, linking it to the Akkadian word "littu," meaning "cow," implying wildness or stubbornness. The Hebrew root lacks a clear direct connection to other Semitic languages, making its precise origin somewhat debated among linguists. Leah appears prominently in the Hebrew Bible as the first wife of Jacob and mother of six of the twelve tribes of Israel. Its use as a given name spread with the Jewish diaspora. While consistently used within Jewish communities, its adoption by wider populations increased significantly after the Protestant Reformation, reflecting a renewed interest in biblical names. Variations exist across languages, such as Léa in French and Lea in German. Diminutives are less common, but "Lee" can sometimes serve as a shortened form.