The baby name Levi blends Biblical roots with blue jean, Americana energy.
Thanks to Another for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
WHAT DOES THE NAME LEVI MEAN?
Let’s go all the way back to the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament.
In Hebrew, the baby name Levi means joined or attached.
He is the third son of Jacob and Leah. His mother hopes that his birth will cement her relationship with Jacob, hence his name.
Levi ultimately gave his name to one of the twelve tribes of Israel: the Levites.
That makes the baby name Levi ancient, indeed. Surnames including Levy, Levey, Levine, and Loewe all derive from Levi, too.
The name also appears in the New Testament, as a tax collector. Some suggest he’s the brother of Matthew the Apostle; others maintain that Levi and Matthew are the same person.
Like so many Old Testament choices, Levi 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.
19th CENTURY NOTABLES
The baby name Levi gives us several famous people you might recognize, including:
- 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 department store 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 whom struck gold.
Once Strauss and Latvian-born tailor Jacob Davis went into business selling riveted denim pants, they, too, made their fortune.
Levi Strauss & Co. is still headquartered in San Francisco today.
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.
During the early 20th century, jeans were reserved for rugged work. Cowboys and lumberjacks wore them. As time passed, jeans became a daily go-to for generations. In more recent years, a new generation treats them like dress clothing.
Brands have come and gone, but Levis appear in every era.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME LEVI?
As the brand name Levis became a household standard, the baby name Levi faded.
In the year 1880, when the Social Security Administration first reports data, the name hovered just outside of the US Top 100. But it left the US Top 500 after 1955, and kept sliding. As of 1969, the baby name Levi was at an all-time low of #686.
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.
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 #369. By 1979, after the mini series aired? The name leapt to #233.
It’s climbed steadily since then, fueled by a stylish sound and our love of boys’ names borrowed from the Bible. As of 2024, Levi stands at #12.
A number of high profile birth announcements boosted the name along the way, too. Actor Matthew McConaughey shares his three children with his wife Camila Alves: Levi, Vida, and Livingston.
STYLISH STAPLE
The baby name Levi feels traditional and meaningful, a brother Noah.
But the association with all things denim lends it a different kind of image, too.
For parents seeking a name rich with history, but with a casual, approachable vibe, the baby name Levi delivers.
What do you think of the baby name Levi?
This post was originally published on July 9, 2008. It was substantially revised on March 31, 2014 and October 2, 2025.
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. 😉
got.. not goty. *sigh* Some days, even proofreading doesn’t catch them! 😀
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.