Lew
Fact sheet
- Name
- Lew
- Gender
- Boy name
- Syllables
- 1
Lew represents a spelling variant of Lev that is common in Poland and Russia. This male first name is a Russian derivation of the name Leo and means 'the lion'.
What does the name Lew mean?
The name Lew, which is used in both Poland and Russia, is a variant of Lev, a Russian form of Leo. It carries the meaning 'the lion' and has its roots in the Latin word leo as well as the Ancient Greek leōn (λεων) for 'lion'. In Hebrew, the name is interpreted as 'the heart', derived from the Ancient Hebrew lev (לֵב). Additionally, Lew is considered a short form of Lewis.
Where does the name Lew come from?
The name Lew has its roots in Ancient Greek and Ancient Hebrew and means 'the lion'. The Ancient Greek terms leo and leōn (λεων) stand for 'lion', while lev (לֵב) in Ancient Hebrew means 'heart'. Lew is used in both the Polish and Russian languages.
How do you pronounce Lew?
The pronunciation of Lew is clear and concise. The name is often pronounced in German as 'Lew' [leːv] or [luː], consisting of a long, bright vowel that stands out distinctly. The gentle ending consonant rounds off the sound. Lew conveys an impression of simplicity and calmness - plain, yet characterful.
Popularity
In Germany, Lew is among the popular first names. Currently, it ranks 1,344th on the list of the most common male first names. Its best placement was in 2020 when it reached 1,184th place. Over the last ten years, Lew has been given as a first name about 230 times, placing it 1,457th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 1,668th.
Famous people
- Lew Abramowitsch Aronson (chess player from Russia)
- Lew Abramowitsch Polugajewski (Russian chess player)
- Lew Alexandrowitsch Beresner (Russian football player)
- Lew Alexandrowitsch Fjodorow (Russian chemist)
- Lew Alexandrowitsch Russow (Russian painter)
- Lew Barnes (American football player)
- Lew Bradford (British football player)
- Lew Brice (American dancer)
- Lew Camp (American baseball player)
- Lew Carl (American baseball player)
- Lew Dawidowitsch Bronstein (Trotsky) (revolutionary leader)
- Lew Del Gatto (American jazz musician)
- Lew Dewitt (American musician)
- Lew Gallo (American actor)
- Lew Han Hung (football player from England)
- Lew Jenkins (American boxer)
- Lew Landers (film director from the USA)
- Lew Manowitsch (Russian artist)
- Lew Mayne (football player from the USA)
- Lew McCreary (writer from the USA)
Frequently asked questions about the name Lew
What does the name Lew mean?
The name Lew means 'the lion' and has its roots in Ancient Greek as well as Ancient Hebrew. In Hebrew, it is also interpreted as 'the heart'.
Is Lew a gender-neutral name?
Lew is a traditional boy's name that is used in various cultures, particularly in Polish and Russian.
Are there suitable nicknames for Lew?
There are no common nicknames for the name Lew, as the name is already short and concise.
How is the name Lew pronounced?
The name Lew is typically pronounced like 'Leh', with the 'w' being silent, similar to the English 'Leo'.