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The name was a success for Elton John – in more ways than one, and his story is part of music lore.
Thanks to Lindsey for suggesting Levon as our Baby Name of the Day.
There’s something bleak about Levon’s lyrics:
“He was born a pauper to a pawn on a Christmas day … When the New York Times said God is dead”
“And Jesus, he wants to go to Venus, Leaving Levon far behind … While Levon, Levon slowly dies”
Though the song also tells us that “he shall be a good man,” so maybe it isn’t a total downer.
How could it be? Elton John and his partner, David Furnish, gave the name Zachary Jackson Levon to their son – who was, incidentally, born on Christmas Day 2010.
SongFacts says that John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin borrowed the name from Levon Helm, the drummer for The Band, best known for their distinctive sound – part country, part something new. Can’t place it? Their most iconic song is “The Weight” – heck, they even played it at Woodstock. They
What I can’t explain is how Helm got his unusual appellation. Born in small town in Arkansas – he actually grew up in a town called Turkey Scratch – his given name was Mark Lavon Helm. He has continued to be an influential force in music – in 2010, he won the first ever Grammy Award for Best Americana Album.
But that’s not the real story of Levon. Levon’s roots are Armenian – he’s a form of the currently oh-so-stylish Leo. Between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries, five kings of Armenia wore the name; they’re often also called Leo in histories, so perhaps that serves to obscure him. But he remains a popular choice in Armenia today. The first president of the newly independent republic was Levon Ter-Petrossian, in 1991. Levon Aronian is a rock star in modern Armenia, thanks to his status as a world master champion of chess. The name is currently ranked in the country’s Top 50 for boys.
The mix makes the name strangely appealing. If there were any doubt, Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke gave the name to their son in 2002.
Even without the starbaby connection, the popularity of Leo and Levi might prompt some parents to discover Levon. Short form Lev is irresistible, and there’s the possibility of Von, too.
Despite all of these good points, Levon remains rare. From the 1930s into the 1950s, Levon flirted with the Top 1000, darting in here and again, with one last appearance at the upper reaches of the rankings in 1988. In 2010, 44 baby boys received the name. That means that you’re more likely to meet a boy called Lisandro, Linkin, or even Legend.
All of this makes Levon an underused option, the kind of name that sounds both wildly exotic and quintessentially American all at once. Levon is a risk, but one with style and history to back him up.
This brings to mind Livan Hernandez, a pitcher for the Washington Nationals. His nn is Livo.
Yay Levon! I’m Armenian and think it’s great this name is getting international attention
Levon is a name I absolutely hated at one point (it’s still not overly lovely on paper), but has been growing on me ever since I watched the first season of Canadian Idol like 10 years ago, and one of the contestants sang Levon (SO well!) on Elton John night…ever since then, the name puts a smile on my face!
It’s funny, originally I associated Levon with the unfashionable Lavern and Lavonne, but once you mentioned Leo and Levi… I could see the charm in Levon. It’s unusual, but not too “different” when you consider the popularity of Lennon and Landon.
I actually find this name appealing on paper, but less appealing when heard; it’s a bit too much like “Leave On”, I guess. All the same, I wouldn’t mind seeing this name grow in popularity.
It’s Leave On or Lee Vaughn to me. Would never be a choice for me. But I really like Miranda Penelope…Penny is such a sweet throw-back name to me.
It sounds hard to say, but I can see the appeal for other people.
For me, Levon would always be associated with Elton John, thus I would wonder if the parents of baby Levon were fans. Stepping aside from that glaring issue, Levon would make for a wonderful alternative for the growing-in-popularity names Leo and Levi.
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Actually the first name this reminds me of is Devon/Devin – which is a name I really like. So naturally, Levon is also a name I approve. Although I find Levi more attractive sounding – however I once met a boy named Levy – who pronounced it like “lev-ee”, I actually prefer that one.