baby name LeviThe baby name Levi blends Biblical roots with blue jean, Americana energy.

Thanks to Another for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

OLD TESTAMENT PATRIARCH

The third son of Jacob and Leah, Levi gave his name to one of the twelve tribes of Israel: the Levites.

That makes the baby name Levi ancient, indeed, along with surname like Levy, Levine, and Loewe.

But, like so many Old Testament choices, it remained rare in Europe until the Protestant Reformation. That’s when Christian parents ditched Catholic saint names in favor of new possibilities straight from the Bible itself.

In Hebrew, the baby name Levi means joined or attached. It might refer to Rachel’s hope that Levi, her third son, would cement her relationship with Jacob. In fact, she says exactly this in Genesis.

NINETEENTH CENTURY NOTABLES

The baby name Levi must’ve had a good run in the nineteenth century. In fact, the name still ranked just outside the US Top 100 in 1880, the first year data was reported.

The 1800s gave us:

  • Levi Lincoln Sr., attorney general under Thomas Jefferson, as well as his son, Levi Lincoln Jr., who served as governor of Massachusetts
  • Abolitionist Levi Coffin, known for his leadership role in the Underground Railroad
  • Marshall Field co-founder Levi Leiter
  • Vice President Levi Morton, who served in the 1890s under Benjamin Harrison, 23rd president of the United States

And then there’s Levi Strauss.

BLUE JEANS

Born to a Jewish family in Germany in 1829, Levi Strauss and his family faced discrimination because of their faith.

His older brothers left for America where they started a business; Levi eventually followed. The brothers sold dry goods in New York City. Eventually, they wanted to expand. Levi was sent west to San Francisco.

It was the California Gold Rush. Strauss sold canvas tents and work pants to the prospectors. Some of them found gold, but what’s certain is that once Strauss and Latvian-born tailor Jacob Davis went into business selling riveted denim pants, the family’s fortune was secured.

Levi Strauss & Co. is still headquartered in San Francisco today.

501s

It’s not just that Strauss and Davis created something necessary and new.

Levi lent his name to the product. Like Kleenex or Xerox, it’s a brand name that stands in as a general term.

In the early twentieth century, jeans were reserved for rugged work. Cowboys and lumberjacks wore them.

As time passed, jeans became a daily go-to for generations.

And now? A new generation treats them like dress clothing.

Brands have come and gone, but Levis appear in every era.

BY the NUMBERS

As the brand name Levis became a household standard, the baby name Levi faded.

It feel throughout the first half of the twentieth century, leaving the US Top 500 after 1955, and kept sliding. As of 1970, the baby name Levi was at an all-time low of #687.

And then the story changed.

Old Testament names began a comeback, one that would eventually put Joshua, and later Noah, in the #1 spot in the US.

CENTENNIAL

Another big boost came from James Michener’s Centennial.

A sprawling historical novel about a family living in Colorado across generations, Centennial was published in 1974 and became a mini series in 1978.

Levi Zendt was one of the nineteenth century characters. It was a period-appropriate choice, but it was also a traditional name gaining attention in the era.

In 1977, the baby name Levi ranked #366. By 1979, after the mini series aired? The name leapt to #233.

Another name inspired by the series, Garrett, also jumped in use.

STYLISH STAPLE

The baby name Levi didn’t slow down post-Centennial.

Denim always had a rugged image. Now it was doubly Western, a brother for Cody and Shane.

But Levi also shared sounds with names on the rise. The middle of Kevin in the 1970s and 80s, as well as Evan in the 1990s; the L of Liam and so many names for our daughters.

For parents seeking a name rich with history, but with a casual, approachable vibe, the baby name Levi delivers.

As of 2020, the baby name Levi stands at #18 – an all-time high.

The mix of the right sound, coupled with a broad set of associations, has pushed the baby name Levi into the spotlight, a traditional name that’s become a stylish staple for our boys.

What do you think of the baby name Levi?

This post was originally published on July 9, 2008.  It was substantially revised and reposted on March 31, 2014.

baby name Levi

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

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6 Comments

  1. I have a Levi! He is our third son, also, and the only name we have picked that wasn’t on our list of possibilities before he was born. Nothing on the list seemed to fit him. Levi was the right pick. It is the most popular of our children’s names, though – the only thing I dislike about it. We once went to a family camp where there were 7 Levis – of several different ages – and one of those with the name was a dog!
    Be aware, also, if you plan to travel to Israel, that everyone there will pronounce it “LEV-ee”, not “LEE-vie” as we do in the US, generally. 😉

  2. I like Levi. 🙂 He’s simple, forthright, happy, fun and easygoing.I can see why MM chose it for his boy. He’s goty solid Biblical grounding and wears as easily as a pair of Jeans. 😉 Levi’s not something I’ll ever use but he’s charming and I would be happy to see more of them.