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Name at a glance

Levi

Levi is a Hebrew name often connected with joined or attached.

Ranked #12 in US baby names in 2025, rising over the past 5 years.

Levi is associated with Jacob's son, Israel's priestly tribe, and the New Testament name of Matthew before his apostolic calling.

Browse names
OriginHebrew
GenderBoy
FeelPriestly
PronunciationLEE-vye

Is Levi biblical?

Yes

Biblical status Direct biblical person

Levi is a named person in Scripture, the third son of Jacob and ancestor of the priestly tribe, and also the name used for the tax collector linked to Matthew in the Gospels.

Is Levi a Christian name?

Used by Christians, not distinctively

Christian tradition Christian cultural usage

Levi is used in Christian families as a short, clearly biblical name tied to priestly service and Matthew, with the record showing mainly modern naming growth rather than a saint tradition.

Plain answer

Levi is a biblical name for Jacob's son and the priestly tribe, used in Christian families mainly as a modern, biblically rooted name rather than through a saint tradition.

Confidence Moderate Last reviewed July 19, 2026 How this works

Meaning

The meaning of Levi

Levi is traditionally connected with being joined or attached. In Genesis, Leah names him with language of attachment, hoping for renewed closeness in her household.

Name story

A tribal and priestly name

Levi begins as one of Jacob's sons, but the name becomes especially important through the tribe of Levi and its association with priestly service.

That gives Levi a strong biblical identity despite its short, modern-friendly sound.

New Testament echo

Levi and Matthew

In the New Testament, Levi is also associated with Matthew the tax collector. That gives the name a Gospel connection as well as an Old Testament one.

For Christian families, Levi can suggest service, calling, and a life joined to God's purposes.

Sound

How to pronounce Levi

Phonetic
LEE-vye
IPA
/ˈliːvaɪ/

2 syllables · stress: LEE-vye · ends in a vowel

Forms

Variants and nicknames

Alternate spellings

  • Levy
  • Lewi
  • Lévi
  • Lewey

Short forms and nicknames

  • Lee

Languages

Levi in other languages

Hebrew
לֵוִיLevi
Greek
ΛευΐLeui
Latin
Levi
Spanish
Leví
French
Lévi
German
Levi
Italian
Levi
Russian
ЛевийLeviy

Christian background

Christian and biblical background

Levi matters in Christian naming because it connects the priestly tradition of Israel with the Gospel calling of Matthew. It is concise but layered.

Scripture

The biblical figure

Levi is one of Jacob and Leah's sons and the ancestor of the Levites. Levi is also named in the Gospel tradition in connection with Matthew.

Bearers

Notable people named Levi

  • biblical

    Levi son of JacobThird son of Jacob and Leah, ancestor of Israel's priestly tribe

  • biblical

    Levi the tax collectorName given in Mark and Luke for the disciple called from his tax booth, traditionally identified with the apostle Matthew

  • historical

    Levi StraussGerman-American businessman who founded the Levi Strauss & Co. denim company in San Francisco, 1829 to 1902

  • historical

    Primo LeviItalian chemist and writer, author of If This Is a Man, 1919 to 1987

  • historical

    Levi EshkolThird prime minister of Israel, 1895 to 1969

Naming history

Naming tradition and history

Levi has grown in modern use because it is short, strong, and clearly biblical. It works well for families who want ancient roots without a long formal name.

Recent US use

Levi in recent US use

Rank in 2025
#12
Peak rank
#12 in 2021
Recent trend
rising over the last 5 years
Years in the SSA records
146 (since 1880)

Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880-2025.

Sibling fit

Sibling name suggestions

For families

For families looking at Levi

Levi may suit parents who want a biblical boy name that feels crisp and contemporary while still carrying priestly and apostolic associations.

Common questions

What does Levi mean?

Levi is often connected with joined or attached.

Is Levi a biblical name?

Yes. Levi is one of Jacob's sons and the ancestor of the Levites.

Is Levi connected to Matthew?

Yes. Matthew is also called Levi in the Gospel tradition.

Sources

Sources for Levi

  • A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, Brown, Driver, and BriggsSupports: Hebrew etymology; meaning 'joined' or 'attached'.
  • The Book of Genesis, King James Version (KJV 1769)Supports: biblical figure Levi; third son of Jacob and ancestor of the priestly tribe (Genesis 29:34).

Last reviewed July 19, 2026. See our methodology, or report an error on the corrections page.

Read next

Related names

MatthewMatthew is also called Levi in the Gospel tradition; Mark 2:14 and Luke 5:27 use the name Levi where Matthew 9:9 uses Matthew.JudahLevi is Jacob's third son; Judah is the fourth - both by Leah in Genesis 29 - and their tribes carry the priesthood and the monarchy respectively.JacobLevi's father; the tribe of Levi is Jacob's third by Leah and becomes the priestly tribe consecrated to the LORD's service.MosesMoses is from the tribe of Levi; the priestly line through Aaron descends from Levi through Kohath to Amram (Numbers 26:58-59).