See the results of this poll: Which do you prefer?
Respondents: 36 (This poll is closed)
- Lev (pronounced like lev in level) : 18 (50%)
- Liev (pronounced lee-ev): 18 (50%)
Well, I would’ve had a [name]Liev[/name] if I didn’t have a [name]Leonie[/name], so it’s safe to say that I love it! My husband & his family pronounce both names more similarly than I do in my American accent (they’re Russian) but I like the [name]Liev[/name] spelling more cause it feels more complete to me and I like the way I say it more. I also think since a fairly famous actor in the US has this name it’s more well-known and being from [name]Brooklyn[/name] and now NJ where plenty of people are familiar with Jewish names, in my community it is easily pronounced. I don’t think a [name]Liev[/name] or a [name]Lev[/name] should have much trouble. Great choice!
[name]Lev[/name] or [name]Liev[/name]?
[name]Lev[/name] is a wonderful name that has strength, simplicity and is easy to pronounce even if you haven’t seen it before.
[name]Liev[/name] is also wonderful but eventually you are going to have to tell people “[name]Lee[/name]-ev, not Leave.”
Personally I lean towards [name]Lev[/name], though it has nothing to do with worrying about correcting anyone. I just like [name]Lev[/name] (I love [name]Zev[/name], too. Maybe its the sound?)
I [name]LOVE[/name] the name [name]Ari[/name] and know a few. The meaning “lion” is great. If you moved to a different area, [name]Ari[/name] would be much more unusual. If it matters to you, [name]Ari[/name] is ranked 435 in the US and [name]Lev[/name] is not in the top 1000.
[name]Liev[/name]… simply because it’s a more familiar name courtesy [name]Liev[/name] Schreiber.
I don’t really like either, I prefer [name]Levi[/name] to both.
I love the name [name]Ari[/name], I even have it in my signature, but I would say it’s the most common name in our area for boys and we plan on staying here as long as possible and raising a family here when the time comes. I would consider using it if my husband’s cousin didn’t just marry an [name]Ari[/name]. Unfortunately we see them pretty regularly, so that coupled with all the little [name]Ari[/name]'s running around is sort of a deal breaker.
[name]Levi[/name] is a nice name, but far too common in general for what we’re looking for, plus I would say it’s the third most popular name around here.
I did mention the issue of our son moving away and having trouble with pronunciation. I also pronounced your friend’s name wrong at first glance. That’s an interesting name. I’ve never hear it before, maybe because I live in the [name]North[/name]-[name]East[/name].
I really like [name]Liev[/name]. I’m actually debating between “[name]Liev[/name]” and “[name]Leo[/name]” as nicknames for a [name]Lester[/name] IV (father goes by the middle name, so that option is out for us), so I’ll be interested to hear what you guys decide on!
I agree with a previous poster that “[name]Liev[/name]” seems more familiar now thanks to [name]Liev[/name] Schreiber.
I like [name]Liev[/name] much more. [name]Liev[/name] is very handsome and feels more substantial. [name]Lev[/name] feels like a nickname to me–I think people will ask what [name]Lev[/name] is short for, as much as [name]Liev[/name] might be mispronounced.
I think Lev might be the way to go. It’s short, easy to spell and pronounce, and has a similar meaning to Ari. Popularity is important to us, but not always a deciding factor, but the fact that it’s not in the top 1000 is a plus. Liev has a little more zest to it, though there’s always the possibility of annoyance down the road.
What middle names would go with Lev or Liev? Our surname starts with a P and is two syllables. I’m thinking something longer in the middle for balance.
I prefer [name]Liev[/name]. It looks more substantial. [name]Even[/name] though [name]Lev[/name] is a legitimate name, for most non-name nerds it may look like a nn for [name]Levi[/name]. I shouldn’t think that [name]Liev[/name] would have too much of a pronunciation problem (rhymes with Kiev, Ukraine. :)).
[name]Lev[/name] middle name ideas:
[name]Michael[/name]
[name]Benjamin[/name]
[name]Brooks[/name]
[name]Alexander[/name]
[name]Martin[/name]
I like [name]Ari[/name] but yeah it’s intensely popular amongst Jews, as is [name]Avi[/name], which I also like. I like [name]Aryeh[/name]? And [name]Judah[/name]? ([name]Judah[/name] and [name]Ari[/name] are linked but for whatever reason I know a lot more [name]Aris[/name] than Judahs or Yehudas…). Unrelated but similar sound, I like [name]Eli[/name] with the English pronunciation of ee-lie.
I like [name]Lev[/name] but I think I am just more used to it. See more Zevs than Ze’evs, too.
My grandmother was a [name]Ruchel[/name] [name]Liba[/name] so I’ve thought about [name]Lev[/name] for a boy before. I think of [name]Lev[/name] as more tied to “heart” than “lion” though. Have I got it twisted?
I think Liev looks more modern than Leib, but also more likely that some people who aren’t Jewish or familiar with it will think its just a Levi word-scramble.