Levin

BoyGerman, Old English· “dear friend; also a surname”

Meaning
dear friend; also a surname
Origin
German, Old English
Pronunciation
LEH-vihn
Syllables
2
US rank 2025
#3,023
US babies 2025
41
Best rank
#936 (1889)
Peak year
2011

Meaning and origin of Levin

Levin is a German and Old English name that is usually said to mean “dear friend; also a surname”.

Levin can come from two different sources. As an English name, it goes back to the Old English Leofwine, dear friend, from leof, dear, and wine, friend. As a Jewish surname, Levin is linked to Levi, the Hebrew name of one of the tribes of Israel. In Russian literature, Konstantin Levin is a central character in Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, often read as a portrait of the author himself. It is said LEH-vihn, and in German-speaking countries, where it is used as a first name, LAY-veen. Leven and Lewin are related forms. Lev and Levi are ready short forms.

Popularity over time

0204060801900192019401960198020002020Peak 2011: 60
US babies named Levin per year, 1880 to 2025

Levin first appears in US Social Security records in 1889. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 1 different years, starting in 1889. Its best national rank was #936 in 1889, and the most babies received it in 2011, when 60 were named Levin. In 2025, 41 babies were named Levin, and it ranked #3,023 nationally. That is 28% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.

Its national rank moved from #2,692 in 1920, #3,982 in 1950, #4,015 in 1980, #4,708 in 2000, #2,665 in 2010, and #3,023 in 2025. Of the 1,693 US boys named Levin since records began, 26% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 254 babies.

Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Jacori, Saeed, Cage, Jahleel, and Cache.

Where it is most popular (2025)

In 2025, Levin ranked highest in Florida and California.

StateRank thereBabies
Florida#19975
California#26605

Gender, sound and spelling

About 99% of US babies named Levin over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.

Levin is usually pronounced LEH-vihn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with L and ends in “-in”.

Middle names for Levin

A few middle names that flow with Levin: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.

Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
James Boy
JAYMZ
“holder of the heel, supplanter” · English
#6
John Boy
JAHN
“Yahweh is gracious” · Hebrew
#23
Rowan Unisex
ROH-uhn
“little red one; rowan tree” · Irish
#59
Kai Boy
KY
“sea (Hawaiian)” · Hawaiian
#93

Sibling names for Levin

Similar names

Armin Boy
AR-mihn
“from Herman: army man” · German
#2,038
Elvin Boy
EL-vin
“elf friend” · Old English
#1,647
Edwin Boy
EHD-win
“rich friend” · Old English
#398
Jaylin Unisex
JAY-lihn
“blend of Jay and Lynn” · American (modern coinage)
#1,742
Alvin Boy
AL-vihn
“elf friend” · Old English
#838
Aydin Boy
AY-dihn
“bright, enlightened” · Turkish
#1,315
Davin Boy
DA-vihn
Irish
#2,687
Efrain Boy
eh-frah-EEN
“fruitful” · Spanish
#1,494
Torin Boy
TAW-rihn
“modern name; uncertain origin” · Irish
#1,350
Arin Unisex
EH-rihn
“uncertain; often a variant of Aaron” · Hebrew
#2,037
Amin Boy
ah-MEEN
“trustworthy, faithful” · Arabic
#1,603
Nevin Boy
NEH-vihn
“from an Irish surname, meaning uncertain” · Irish
#4,013

Lists that include Levin

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Levin mean?

Levin is a German and Old English name that is usually said to mean “dear friend; also a surname”.

What is the origin of the name Levin?

Levin has German and Old English roots. Levin can come from two different sources.

Is Levin a popular name?

Not especially. Levin ranked #3,023 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.

Is Levin a boy or girl name?

Levin is mainly a boy's name. About 99% of US babies named Levin over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.

How do you pronounce Levin?

Levin is usually pronounced LEH-vihn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.

Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings