Levi Name Meaning: Origin, Popularity & Nicknames

What Does Levi Mean?

Levi is an ancient and beautiful name originating from Hebrew culture. The name translates to mean “attached” or “joining”⁽¹⁾. In other words, Levi means harmony, unity, and connection.

In the Hebrew Bible, Levi is Jacob and Leah’s third son. Leah says that Levi’s birth solidified the bond between her and her husband. The name also comes from the Levite tribe, which, according to the Bible, is the tribe that Levi founded. “Joiner” is an appropriate meaning for the Levites, as the tribe focused on unity and promoted cohesion amongst the Israelites.

It’s also worthwhile to note that the New Testament describes Jesus as being related to the Levites, and his professional job in Greek was “tekton,” or workman, which also translates to “joiner”.

What is the Origin of the Name Levi?

The most agreed-upon origin of the name Levi comes from the Hebrew verb “lawa,” which means “to join”⁽²⁾. This is the verb that Leah uses in the scriptures at the time of Levi’s birth when she says that now she and her husband are joined.

Other scholars question this origin and argue that the name of the tribe, Levite, came first and that it originated from a Minaean word for priest.

Finally, some people believe that the name Levi comes from the name of his mother, Leah. The Hebrew name Leah means “weary,” so if this is correct, then Levi would also mean weary.

How Popular is the Name Levi?

At present, Levi is a very popular male name in the United States ⁽³⁾. As of 2020, Levi was the eighteenth most popular boy’s name in the country.

The name Levi has steadily risen in popularity in the past several decades. In 1970, it was only in the top 700 boys’ names, but by 1990 it was already in the top 200. Now, Levi is one of the most preferred names for baby boys.

How Do I Pronounce Levi?

Levi is pronounced “LEE-vye.” The emphasis is on the first syllable. Levi should not be pronounced like “levy.”

Is Levi a Boy or Girl Name?

Generally speaking, Levi is far more popular as a male name. Although parents could choose to use Levi as a girl’s name, it is quite uncommon. The name Levi comes from a male Biblical figure, and the name is currently in the top 20 for boys’ names in the United States.

Variations of Levi

There are several variations of the name Levi. Some of these are Hebrew variations of the name, while others are shortened forms of Levi that could resonate with a variety of cultures.

Possible variations of Levi include:

• Lee (English)
• Leevi (Finnish)
• Lev (Russian)
• Levee (Hebrew)
• Leven (Hebrew)
• Levente (Hungarian)
• Levey (Hebrew)
• Levin (Hebrew)
• Levon (Hebrew)
• Levy (Hebrew)
• Lévy (Hebrew)
• Lew (Welsh)
• Lewi (Hebrew)
• Lewy (Polish)

Nicknames for Levi

Levi is already a short name, so finding a nickname can be a challenge. However, there are still some options from which to choose.

Possible nicknames for Levi include:

• Ev
• Eve
• Evi
• Lee
• Leevy
• Leo
• Lev
• Lili
• Liv
• Vie
• Vivi
• Weevi

Similar Names to Levi

If you like the name Levi, you may also be interested in other traditional Hebrew names. With a rich textual culture and long history, there are many beautiful Hebrew names to consider.

Similar names to Levi include:

• Aaron
• Ariel
• Avi
• Ben
• Caleb
• Daniel
• David
• Eli
• Ezra
• Gabriel
• Isaac
• Ira
• Jacob
• Jonah
• Malachi
• Micah
• Nathaniel
• Reuben
• Samuel
• Saul
• Simon
• Tovi
• Yael
• Zachary

Middle Names for Levi

There are plenty of middle names that would pair nicely with Levi. Whether you prefer a Hebrew or Biblical middle name to match the style of Levi, or simply want something that sounds nice, many options can work.

Some middle name ideas for Levi include:

• Archie
• Beckett
• Benjamin
• Carter
• Charles
• Cole
• Dean
• Elijah
• George
• Henry
• Hudson
• Israel
• Jackson
• Mason
• Matthew
• Oliver
• Oscar
• Spencer
• Tate
• Wade

Sibling Names for Levi

If you name your child Levi and want to find good names for a sibling, you won’t have trouble finding one. You can choose a complementary name by finding another Hebrew name, or by picking a cute, short name with a timeless style.

Sibling names for a brother:

• Abram
• Blake
• Dax
• Ezekiel
• Finn
• Hiram
• Jared
• Neil
• Noah
• Troy

Sibling names for a sister:

• Daisy
• Danielle
• Esther
• Gwen
• Hannah
• Jade
• Leah
• Luna
• Naomi
• Paige

Famous People Named Levi

The most famous Levi is probably Levi Strauss, the inventor of blue jeans and the founder of the Levi denim brand. If you don’t have a background in Abrahamic religion, there’s a good chance that the jeans brand is the first thing you think of when you hear the name Levi.

Other famous people named Levi include:

• Levi Addison Ault: “Father of Cincinnati’s parks.”
• Levi Alves McConaughey: Son of actor Matthew McConaughey.
• Levi Celerio: Filipino composer.
• Levi Coffin: Abolitionist and Underground Railroad leader.
• Levi Leiter: Co-founder of Marshall Field & Company.
• Levi Miller: Australian actor.
• Levi Roots: Reggae singer.
• Levi Seacer, Jr.: American Musician.
• Levi Stubbs: American singer.

Levi in Popular Culture

Although there are only a few characters named Levi in popular culture, there are some standout fictional figures who are worthy of being a namesake.

Characters named Levi in popular culture include:

• Levi: Character in Fifty Shades of Grey
• Levi Ackerman: Character in Attack On Titan
• Levi Boulder: Character in Anne of Green Gables
• Levi Schmitt: Character in Grey’s Anatomy
• Levi Stewart: Character in the novel Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Levi FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about the name Levi.