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Levi

♂ Boy

Pronounced LEE-vy /ˈliː.vaɪ/High

Meaning: Joined; attached; pledged in devotionHigh

In 30 seconds: From the Hebrew meaning 'joined' or 'attached,' Levi was the name of one of the twelve sons of Jacob and the founder of the priestly tribe of Levi in the Bible.
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Origin HighHebrew
MeaningJoined; attached; pledged in devotion
Peak year2017
Total births (all-time)≈ 139,693

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201718802017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Levi comes from the Hebrew Levi (לֵוִי), derived from the root lavah meaning 'to join' or 'to attach.' In Genesis, Leah named her third son Levi hoping his birth would attach her husband Jacob more closely to her.

The name was used by Jewish communities throughout history and by Puritan and Protestant families. In the 19th century it became associated with Levi Strauss, founder of the denim company. The name entered the U.S. top 100 in the early 2000s and has risen sharply, entering the top 20 by the 2020s.

Did you know? The tribe of Levi — the Levites — became the priestly tribe of ancient Israel, responsible for religious service and care of the Tabernacle. Moses and Aaron were both Levites, as was the ancestor of Jesus in some genealogies.

Variations

LéviLevyLewi

Nicknames

LeeLev

Famous Bearers

  • ★Levi Strauss (1829–1902)
    German-American businessman who founded the Levi Strauss & Co. denim company.
  • ★Levi Eshkol (1895–1969)
    Third Prime Minister of Israel.

If you like Levi…

Ezra— another short, punchy Old Testament name on the rise
Asher— shares the Hebrew biblical root and modern appeal
Elijah— fellow prophet-era Hebrew name in the top ranks
Noah— same wave of short biblical boys' names dominating charts
Silas— another biblical name with the same crisp, vintage feel

Frequently Asked

What does the name Levi mean?

Levi comes from Hebrew lavah, meaning 'joined' or 'attached,' and was the name of the third son of Jacob, founder of the priestly tribe of Levi.

How do you pronounce Levi?

Levi is pronounced LEE-vy /ˈliː.vaɪ/ — two syllables, with stress on the first.

Is Levi a boy or girl name?

Levi is used almost exclusively as a boy's name.

How popular is Levi?

Levi has climbed steadily and entered the U.S. top 20 boys' names by the early 2020s, part of a broader trend favoring short, biblical Hebrew names.