Boys · #12 in 2025

Levi: Meaning, Origin & Popularity

Origin
Hebrew
Meaning
Possibly joined or attached
Pronunciation
LEE-vye in common English usage
Nickname options
Lev

Origin and meaning

Levi is a biblical Hebrew name often connected with joining or attachment, though the derivation is not certain. In Genesis, Levi is one of Jacob's sons. The name also became associated with the tribe descended from him.

U.S. popularity

Levi ranked #12 for boys in the United States in 2025, with 9,642 boys given this spelling. Its highest recorded U.S. rank was #12, reached in 2021–2025. Historical coverage: 1880–2025. Peak refers to rank, not the largest number of births.

Source: Social Security Administration; historical peaks calculated from its national name files. Rankings count each spelling separately within the listed sex.

The Hello Baby Names take

Levi feels lively and light, with the V providing a clear center. It has the simplicity of a short modern favorite while carrying a long history. It suits parents who want a biblical name with an easy, open-ended sound.

Things to consider

The common English ending sounds like eye. Pronunciations differ in other languages, so choose the form that fits your family.

If you love Levi, consider…

  • Ezra: Offers a similarly brief biblical choice with energy.
  • Eli: Keeps the light, open-vowel sound.
  • Noah: Softens the consonants further.
  • Luca: Adds a warmer, rounded ending.
  • Asher: Brings a more textured two-syllable alternative.
  • Micah: Shares the gentle biblical style.
  • Jude: Condenses the sound into one syllable.
  • Theo: Offers another compact name with a friendly finish.