Lev (given name)

Lev (Russian: Лев) is a traditional Slavic male name meaning "lion," derived from the Latin leo. It is strongly associated with strength, nature, and historic figures, often translated as Leo or Leon in Western languages. The name is also common in Jewish communities and means "heart" in Hebrew and appears as "Leyb" in Yiddish. Common in Russia. The name was brought to Russia with Christianity and was uncommon up until the 20th century, when it became popular after Lev Tolstoy. People with this name include: