Rising since 2009, #2,718 for boys today.
Popularity of Lavi since 2006
Babies named Lavi per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 15 |
| 2010s | 119 |
| 2020s | 153 |
Meaning & origin
Lavi is a modern masculine name that first appeared in U.S. Social Security records in 2006. By 2025 it had reached a rank of 2,718, with roughly 1 in 36,342 newborn boys receiving the name that year. Its trajectory has been consistently upward since 2009, and 2025 marks its peak year to date. The name is most commonly chosen in the southern states of Georgia, Florida, and New York. While its exact origins are debated, Lavi is often understood as either a creative spelling of Levi or a direct borrowing of the Hebrew word for 'lion.' This dual possibility gives it both a biblical echo and a strong, naturalistic meaning. Parents drawn to short, vowel-heavy names with Hebrew connections may find Lavi an appealing alternative to the more established Levi.
Lavi may be a modern variant of Levi, a Hebrew name meaning 'joined' or 'attached', borne in the Bible by the third son of Jacob and Leah. Alternatively, it could be a transcription of the Hebrew word for 'lion' (לָבִיא, lavi). The name emerged in U.S. records in 2006 and has seen a gradual rise in use, particularly in the American South.
Where Lavi is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Levi
Sibling names for Lavi
Names that share Lavi's style, for a brother or sister.
