Lew Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Lew has its roots in Hebrew, meaning 'joined' or 'attached', derived from the name Levi. Over time, it has evolved through various historical forms and retains a biblical significance as a name associated with one of the tribes of Israel. Today, it is perceived as a classic name with a strong image, though it is less commonly used. Notable figures with this name include Lew Wallace and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The name Lew is most popular in Oklahoma, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Lew has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Lew' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1330th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1285th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1296th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2683rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6989th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 15888th out of 23106 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 9204th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 11010th out of 12526 names. Discover how the name 'Lew' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Lew"
Pronunciation
/luː/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Lew is derived from the Hebrew name Levi, which means 'joined' or 'attached'. In the biblical context, Levi was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Jacob's son Levi.
Meaning
joined, attached
Language Evolution
Levi (Hebrew), Lewe (Old English), Lew (Modern English)
Biblical Background
The name has strong biblical significance as it is the name of one of the sons of Jacob, who became the ancestor of the Levites, a priestly class in ancient Israel.
Historical Usage
The name Lew gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the 19th and 20th centuries, often as a short form of Levi or Lewis.
Variants & Derivatives
Levi, Lewis, Louis, Lewie
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Lew is seen as a classic and strong name, often associated with reliability and tradition. It is less common today but retains an appealing charm.
Famous People
Lew Wallace, an American author and soldier known for writing 'Ben-Hur', Lew Grade, a British television and film producer, Lew Alcindor, better known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a legendary basketball player
Explore More Lew Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Lew"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Lew"
"Lew" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1330th of 7545 | 475 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1285th of 6773 | 521 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1296th of 7552 | 674 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2683rd of 10718 | 217 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6989th of 16616 | 78 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 15888th of 23106 | 23 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 9204th of 9204 | 5 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 11010th of 12526 | 10 |
Regional Popularity of "Lew" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
80.13% 1105th/1379 |
- |
81.87% 935th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
78.86% 1227th/1556 |
82.83% 1949th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
48.45% 1079th/2227 |
54.24% 1318th/2430 |
77.71% 2217th/2853 |
44.25% 1228th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Lew" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Lew"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Lew" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.