Levi in Chinese
Levi in Chinese is 利瓦伊 (Lì Wǎ Yī).
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- joined, attached
Levi is a name of Hebrew origin, generally understood to mean "joined, attached". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 2010s.
3 ways to write Levi
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
利瓦伊
Lì Wǎ Yī
The standard transliteration of Levi: 利 (lì, "benefit, sharp"), 瓦 (wǎ, "tile (phonetic 'va')"), 伊 (yī, "phonetic 'i/e'; that one (classical)"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
To fit Mandarin syllable rules, the sounds are broken into 3 characters: 利 lì + 瓦 wǎ + 伊 yī. The tone contour is 4-3-1 (falling, dipping, high level).
Character breakdown
18 strokes total (simplified)- 利
lì
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
benefit, sharp
- 瓦
wǎ
Tone 3 · 5 strokes (simplified)
tile (phonetic 'va')
- 伊
yī
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
phonetic 'i/e'; that one (classical)
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
博毅
Bó Yì
Inspired by "joined, attached": 博 (bó, "broad, learned") + 毅 (yì, "resolute, persevering"), expressing elegance and good character.
Why these characters?
Levi's meaning ("joined, attached") has no direct Chinese equivalent, so 博 (broad, learned) and 毅 (resolute, persevering) express elegance and good character instead.
Character breakdown
27 strokes total (simplified)- 博
bó
Tone 2 · 12 strokes (simplified)
broad, learned
- 毅
yì
Tone 4 · 15 strokes (simplified)
resolute, persevering
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
黎文
Lí Wén
黎 (lí, "dawn; multitude") + 文 (wén, "literature, culture; refined"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
Instead of the purely phonetic 利, this uses 黎 (lí, "dawn; multitude") for the "le" sound, then 文 ("literature, culture; refined") for meaning.
Character breakdown
19 strokes total (simplified)- 黎
lí
Tone 2 · 15 strokes (simplified)
dawn; multitude
- 文
wén
Tone 2 · 4 strokes (simplified)
literature, culture; refined
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Recent US usage of Levi
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Levi ranked 12 among names recorded for boys, with 57,122 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 139,693 boys named Levi since 1880, with the high point in 2017 (8,367 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #180 to #37 among boys.
- Peak year
- 2017
- Peak decade
- 2010s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 139,693
More About Levi in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Levi offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Levi, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Dominic in Chinese, George in Chinese, and Cole in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Corey in Chinese, Xavier in Chinese, and Shane in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Levi, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Levi to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Levi in Chinese characters?
利瓦伊 (Lì Wǎ Yī), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Does Levi change in traditional Chinese?
No. 利瓦伊 uses only characters that are the same in both scripts, so one design works everywhere.
Is there a Chinese name for Levi with real meaning?
Try 博毅 (Bó Yì): broad, learned + resolute, persevering, inspired by "joined, attached". For something that still sounds like Levi, 黎文 (Lí Wén) is a middle ground.