Leora as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Leora

What is the meaning of the name Leora ?

The baby name Leora is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced LEE-or-uh,lee-OH-rah,/ˈliːɔrə/.

Leora is Hebrew in Origin.

Leora traces to the Hebrew root or, “light,” most often viewed as an Anglicized spelling of Liora, meaning “my light” or “light for me.” It also sits near Eliora/Eleora (“God is my light”), sharing the luminous imagery found across many Hebrew theophoric names. In modern Hebrew contexts it relates to Leor/Le’or, a unisex name built on the same root. While phonetically close to Lenora/Eleanor, Leora’s etymology is separate and Semitic, not Germanic/Greek.

In English-speaking countries, Leora appeared in the late 19th century and saw modest popularity in the United States through the 1910s–1930s before fading, with a gentle revival in the 21st century as vintage and Israeli-inspired names return. Documented variants and spellings include Liora, Liorah, Leorah; related forms are Eliora and Eleora. Diminutives vary by family, but the name’s enduring appeal lies in its clear, uplifting meaning: a bearer of light.