A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Levin since 1889
Babies named Levin per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2011, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Levin's real moment was 1889.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 6 |
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 85 |
| 1920s | 98 |
| 1930s | 54 |
| 1940s | 60 |
| 1950s | 63 |
| 1960s | 81 |
| 1970s | 71 |
| 1980s | 106 |
| 1990s | 135 |
| 2000s | 240 |
| 2010s | 435 |
| 2020s | 254 |
Meaning & origin
Levin is a name that has seen a gradual rise in popularity since the 1990s, reflecting a broader trend of surname-style given names. Despite being recorded as early as 1889, the name remained relatively rare for most of the 20th century. Its modern resurgence is notable in states like Florida and California, where it has been most commonly used in recent years. While the name's etymology is debated, its ambiguity adds to its appeal for parents seeking a name with historical depth but without a fixed meaning. The name's trajectory is clearly upward, with a rank of 2,991 in 2025 and an incidence rate of roughly 1 in 41,660 births, suggesting that while still uncommon, it is gaining recognition among modern baby names.
The name Levin has several possible origins. It may be an anglicized form of the German surname Löwe (meaning 'lion') or a variant of the Old English name Leofwine, composed of 'leof' (dear, beloved) and 'wine' (friend). Alternatively, it could be a respelling of the Hebrew name Levi. In modern usage, Levin is also occasionally used as a given name in English-speaking countries.
Where Levin is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Levin” around the world
Where Levin lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lev, Levi, Vinny
Sibling names for Levin
Names that share Levin's style, for a brother or sister.
