Find out how popular the first name Levi has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Levi by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Levi is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Levi being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 9,347 male babies and 63 female babies born with the name Levi.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 63 baby girls were named Levi in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Levi

The given name Levi has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew word "lavah," which means "to accompany" or "to join." The name is closely associated with the biblical figure Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob and the progenitor of the Levite tribe.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Levi can be found in the Book of Genesis, where it is mentioned as the name of Jacob's third son, born to him and his wife Leah. In the biblical narrative, the Levites were entrusted with the responsibility of serving as priests and assistants to the Israelite priesthood.

One of the most notable figures in history bearing the name Levi was Levi Strauss (1829-1902), the German-American businessman who founded the prestigious Levi Strauss & Co. and is credited with popularizing blue jeans worldwide. His innovative riveted denim pants became an iconic fashion statement and a symbol of American workwear.

Another prominent Levi was Levi Woodbury (1789-1851), an American politician and jurist who served as the 9th Governor of New Hampshire, a U.S. Senator, and the 10th Secretary of the Treasury under President Andrew Jackson.

In the realm of literature, Levi Coffin (1798-1877) was an American Quaker and abolitionist who played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad, helping thousands of enslaved African Americans escape to freedom. He became known as the "President of the Underground Railroad" for his tireless efforts in the anti-slavery movement.

Levi Eskol (1888-1969) was an influential Israeli statesman who served as the third Prime Minister of Israel from 1963 to 1969. He is remembered for his leadership during the tense period leading up to the Six-Day War in 1967.

Levi Montalcini (1909-2012) was an Italian neurologist and Nobel laureate who received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1986 for her groundbreaking work on the discovery of nerve growth factor. Her pioneering research contributed significantly to the understanding of the nervous system and cellular development.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the given name Levi, a name deeply rooted in the Hebrew tradition and associated with figures of religious, political, and cultural significance.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Levi was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Levi, please contact us.

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