Laya

Laya is a feminine name used in French contexts as a variant of Leia. The name ultimately traces back to Leah from the Hebrew לֵאָה (Leʾa), which is thought to derive from the Hebrew word לָאָה meaning "weary" or "grieved." In the Old Testament, Leah is the first wife of Jacob and mother of several of his children, contrasting with her younger sister Rachel, the favored wife. Through this biblical lineage, Leah became a common name among Jews in the Middle Ages. It entered English usage among Puritans after the Protestant Reformation. The French form Laya offers a shorter, melodic variation, possibly influenced by the widespread fame of Leia due to the Star Wars character—though Laya remains distinct and intimate. Laya is also a place name in Bhutan, referring to a gewog (a village block) in Gasa District. That origin is from Dzongkha ལ་ཡག (la yag), unrelated to the French use.

• Meaning: derived from ‘weary’ or ‘grieved’ (Hebrew)
• Origin: French variant of Leia, ultimate source Leah
• Usage regions: France, French-speaking countries
• Type: given name, feminine