Levi Name Meaning, Origin and Pronunciation
Levi is a Hebrew-origin boy’s name commonly read as meaning “joined in harmony” or “united,” the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
| Meaning | joined in harmony, united (commonly cited reading) |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Pronunciation | LEE-vy |
| Gender | Boy |
| Related forms | none widely used; the name has stayed close to its original form |
Origin and history
Levi names one of Jacob’s twelve sons in the Book of Genesis, whose descendants formed the tribe of Levi, one of the twelve tribes of Israel and specifically the priestly tribe responsible for Temple service in the Hebrew Bible. The exact etymology behind the “joined” or “united” meaning relates to the Genesis narrative around his birth. Levi has become one of the most popular boys’ names in the US in recent years, part of a broader trend toward classic Hebrew Biblical names.
Is Levi a boy or girl name?
Levi is used almost exclusively as a boy’s name.
Frequently asked questions
Why was the tribe of Levi specifically the priestly tribe?
According to the Hebrew Bible, the tribe of Levi was set apart for religious service and Temple duties rather than receiving a standard territorial inheritance like the other tribes of Israel.
Is Levi a new trend or a longstanding classic name?
Its Biblical root goes back thousands of years, but its current high popularity in the US is a relatively recent development, part of a broader trend toward classic Hebrew Biblical boys’ names.
Related reading
Related culture pages: Biblical boy names, Hebrew and Jewish names.