Livan
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "bend, twist, or curve".
Name Census estimates that about 278 living Americans carry the first name Livan. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Livan today is around 21 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Livan births was 1998 (66 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Livan. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
278
~ 1 in 1,232,929 Americans
Peak year
1998
66 babies that year
Average age
21
years old
2024 SSA rank
#10,467
Tracked since 1997
Popularity
Livan: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Livan from the 1990s through to the 2020s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 125 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1990s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Livan by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Livan during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Livans live
The SSA's state-level files cover 5 states and territories. Texas, California, Florida recorded the most babies named Livan, while New Mexico, Arizona, Florida recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 19 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Livan
The name Livan has its origins rooted in the Armenian language and culture, dating back to the ancient kingdom of Armenia, which existed from around the 6th century BC to the early 4th century AD. It is believed to be derived from the Armenian word "lav," which means "good" or "excellent." The name is often associated with positive qualities such as virtue, nobility, and goodness.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Livan can be found in the ancient Armenian epic poem "Daredevils of Sassoun," which dates back to the 8th century AD. In this epic, Livan is depicted as a brave and skilled warrior who fought against the invading Arab armies.
Throughout Armenian history, the name Livan has been borne by several notable figures. One of the most famous was Livan Catholicos (1238-1311), who was the Catholicos (head of the Armenian Apostolic Church) from 1293 to 1311. He is remembered for his efforts in promoting education and cultural preservation during a turbulent period in Armenian history.
Another notable figure was Livan Parpetsi (5th century), an Armenian historian and scholar who wrote the influential work "History of Armenia." His detailed accounts of the events and personalities of his time provide valuable insights into the cultural and political landscape of ancient Armenia.
In the 19th century, Livan Alikhanov (1828-1888) was a prominent Armenian writer and public figure. He played a significant role in the Armenian national awakening movement and worked tirelessly to promote the rights and cultural identity of Armenians living in the Russian Empire.
Livan Zakarian (1923-2016) was a renowned Armenian composer and conductor who made significant contributions to the development of Armenian classical music. His compositions, which often drew inspiration from Armenian folk traditions, have been performed and celebrated worldwide.
Another notable bearer of the name was Livan Armen (1908-1988), an Armenian painter and sculptor who is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century in Armenia. His works often explored themes of national identity, cultural heritage, and the Armenian struggle for survival.
While the name Livan has its roots in Armenian culture, it has also been adopted and used in various other cultures and languages over time. However, its deep historical significance and connection to Armenian heritage remain a prominent part of its legacy.
Notable bearers
Famous people named Livan
People
Livan + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Livan as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with L
Other first names starting with L with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Livan: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Livan?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 278 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Livan going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,232,929 US residents.
Is Livan a common name?
We classify Livan as "Very Rare". It ranks above 78.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 282 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Livan most popular?
The single biggest year for Livan was 1998, when 66 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Livan is about 21 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Livan a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Livan in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.