Lev

At a Glance

Meaning

Lion (Slavic, cognate with Latin leo); separately, 'heart' in Hebrew and Yiddish

Origin

Slavic/Russian; separately Hebrew

Gender

Boy

Pronunciation

LEVListen

Lev is a boy's name with Slavic and Russian roots, pronounced LEV, and it verifiably means "lion." You might come across the claim that Lev means "lion heart," but that's not accurate — it blends two separate origins: the Slavic name meaning "lion" and the unrelated Hebrew and Yiddish word lev, which separately means "heart." They don't combine into one meaning. With a clean, modern feel, it's a short, clean choice for parents drawn to that kind of name.

Meaning & Origin of Lev

Meaning: Lion (Slavic, cognate with Latin leo); separately, 'heart' in Hebrew and Yiddish.

Origin: Slavic/Russian; separately Hebrew.

A common claim: Lev means 'lion heart' Actually: This blends two unrelated etymologies as if they combine: the Slavic name means 'lion' while the Hebrew word lev separately means 'heart' — they aren't literally one compound meaning.

Source: Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Lev

Popularity of Lev

Lev's biggest year on record was 2019, when it ranked #1005 with 208 babies given the name; by 2024 it stood at #1040, with 213 babies.

Names Like Lev

These names share Lev’s style, era or origin.

• Boone
• Caron
• Emre
• Femi
• Habib
• Kama

FAQ

What does the name Lev mean?

Lion (Slavic, cognate with Latin leo); separately, ‘heart’ in Hebrew and Yiddish. (Source: Wikipedia)

How do you pronounce Lev?

Lev is pronounced LEV (IPA: /ˈlɛv/).

Is Lev a popular name right now?

Lev is near its all-time peak (#1005 in 2019), ranked #1040 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1971–2024.)

Make Lev Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Lev, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.