Leia
From the name of a princess in the American fantasy film Star Wars (1977).
Every Leia since 1949 — 18,778 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Leia
Leia is moderately common for girls in the United States, ranked #297 in 2025 with 1,033 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1949, 18,778 American babies have been named Leia. Its peak came in 2023, when 1,424 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Leia stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Leia year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,033 | #297 |
| 2024 | 1,099 | #289 |
| 2023 | 1,424 | #211 |
| 2022 | 1,216 | #257 |
| 2021 | 1,078 | #296 |
| 2020 | 1,088 | #296 |
| 2019 | 958 | #334 |
| 2018 | 1,120 | #296 |
| 2017 | 1,162 | #278 |
| 2016 | 1,016 | #322 |
| 2015 | 766 | #420 |
| 2014 | 611 | #510 |
| 2013 | 509 | #569 |
| 2012 | 422 | #671 |
| 2011 | 351 | #775 |
| 2010 | 323 | #834 |
| 2009 | 342 | #825 |
| 2008 | 293 | #930 |
| 2007 | 288 | #940 |
| 2006 | 272 | #964 |
| 2005 | 206 | #1,137 |
| 2004 | 160 | #1,335 |
| 2003 | 142 | #1,404 |
| 2002 | 152 | #1,294 |
| 2001 | 125 | #1,502 |
| 2000 | 123 | #1,498 |
| 1995 | 87 | #1,694 |
| 1990 | 69 | #1,982 |
| 1985 | 86 | #1,453 |
| 1980 | 162 | #923 |
| 1975 | 20 | #3,457 |
| 1970 | 23 | #2,991 |
| 1965 | 31 | #2,138 |
| 1960 | 5 | #6,884 |
| 1955 | 6 | #5,542 |
| 1950 | 5 | #5,726 |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Leia mean?
From the name of a princess in the American fantasy film Star Wars (1977).
How popular is the name Leia in 2025?
Leia ranked #297 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 1,033 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Leia?
18,778 babies have been named Leia in the United States since 1949, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Leia most popular?
Leia peaked in 2023, when 1,424 newborns received the name.
Is Leia a boy or girl name?
Leia is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Leia rising or falling?
Leia is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.