Liev

♂ Boy

Pronounced LEEV /ˈliv/Medium

Meaning: From Yiddish/Russian Lev, 'lion' (Hebrew 'heart'; Russian Leo); routes layeredMedium

In 30 seconds: Lion-hearted: Liev is a form of Lev — 'lion' (and 'heart' in Hebrew). Strong, sleek, and distinctive (actor Liev Schreiber). Bold and warm.

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Origin MediumHebrew, Russian

MeaningFrom Yiddish/Russian Lev, 'lion' (Hebrew 'heart'; Russian Leo); routes layered

U.S. rank (2025)#4972 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births20 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2016

Total births (all-time)≈ 521

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Liev is a form of Lev — Russian/Yiddish for 'lion' (the Russian Leo, as in Lev Tolstoy), also 'heart' in Hebrew (routes layered, which we note). A strong, sleek one-syllable name.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, lion-or-heart at the root, and bold.

Did you know? Actor Liev Schreiber made this name familiar — it's a form of Lev, 'lion' in Russian (and 'heart' in Hebrew), the name of writer Lev (Leo) Tolstoy.

Overall data confidence 70%

Behind the Name — Lev — routes layered

Variations

LevLeoLyev

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Liev Schreiber (1967-)
American actor and director known for roles in Ray Donovan and the X-Men films

If you like Liev…

Lev— the standard form

Leo— the 'lion' classic

Levi— a fellow Lev- name

Liam— a companion crisp name

Explore names like Liev

By themeuncertain hebrew russian

By meaningLion

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Liev mean?

Liev is a form of Lev — 'lion' in Russian (and 'heart' in Hebrew); the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Liev?

It's said LEEV /ˈliv/ — a single syllable.

Is Liev a boy or girl name?

Liev is a boy's name.

How popular is Liev?

Liev is a rare name in the U.S.