The name Levee is of French origin and means "waterway." It is derived from the Old French word "levée," which referred to an embankment or a dyke along a river used for flood protection. The name has been historically used as both a surname and, more recently, as a given name.
In France, levee was used as a surname in medieval times and was typically associated with families who lived near rivers or worked on maintaining the levées that protected communities from floods. Over time, some of these families adopted Levee as their given name for their children.
In recent years, Levee has gained popularity as a unisex given name in English-speaking countries. It is often chosen by parents who appreciate its unique sound and its connection to water and nature. Some variations of the name include Lévi, Levi, and Levy.
There are no notable historical figures with the name Levee, nor is it mentioned in any prominent literature or mythology. However, it has been used as a character name in some contemporary works, such as the American television series "Treme," which features a character named Albert "Big Chief" Lambreaux whose Indian tribe is called the "Levee Flankers."
In summary, Levee is an uncommon yet distinctive given name of French origin that means "waterway." Its historical roots lie in the practical necessity for flood protection along rivers and its use as both a surname and a given name. Today, it serves as a unique and nature-inspired option for parents seeking a lesser-known name for their child.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Levee has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States. From 2012 to 2023, there were a total of 63 babies born with the name Levee.
The number of births peaked in recent years, with 11 births each in 2019 and 2020. This could indicate that the name is gaining popularity among parents. However, it's important to note that even at its peak, Levee remains a relatively uncommon name, as only 11 babies shared this name in these two years combined.
Before this recent surge in popularity, the name Levee was quite rare, with only 5 births recorded each in 2012 and 2016. There was also a dip in popularity in 2018, with just 5 births that year.
More recently, there were 8 births in 2021 and the trend continued with another 10 births in 2023. While these numbers are higher than those seen in previous years, they still indicate that Levee is not one of the most popular baby names in the United States.
Overall, while Levee has seen some fluctuations in popularity over the past decade, it remains a relatively uncommon name. Nevertheless, its recent increase in popularity suggests that more parents may be considering this unique name for their children.