Zvi is a name of Hebrew origin, derived from the root verb "zvot," which means "to shine" or "radiate." It is often translated as meaning "brightness" or "light." In Jewish tradition, Zvi was originally used as a nickname for the sixth son in a family, as the Hebrew letter zayin corresponds to the number six.
The name Zvi has been popular among Ashkenazi Jews for centuries and can be found in various forms throughout history. For instance, the renowned medieval French Talmudist and poet, Solomon ben Isaac, also known as Rashi (1040-1105), had a son named Shimon Zvi.
In more recent times, notable individuals with the name Zvi include Israeli philosopher and political scientist, Yehezkel Kofsky (also known as Ze'ev Sternhell), born in 1938; American violinist and composer, Zvi Zeitlin (1926-2007); and Polish-born Israeli historian and sociologist, Joshua Prawer (1916-2001), who used the pen name Zvi Yavetz.
Today, Zvi continues to be a beloved name among Jewish families, carrying with it the enduring symbolism of light and brightness.
Based on the statistical data provided, we can see that the name Zvi has had varying popularity over the years in the United States. The earliest record of the name Zvi being given to newborns is in 1951, with six births that year. This number remained steady at six births in 1952.
However, from 1953 onwards, we see an increase in the number of babies named Zvi. In 1953, there were nine births, which was a significant jump from the previous years. The popularity of the name continued to fluctuate over the decades, with some years showing a higher number of births than others.
The most popular years for the name Zvi were in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1977, there were sixteen births, which was the highest number recorded until that point. This popularity continued into 1978 with another sixteen births. The trend continued into the 1980s, with eleven births in 1982 and fifteen births in 1984.
However, after the mid-1980s, we see a decline in the popularity of the name Zvi. There were only seven births in 1985, which was a significant drop from the previous years. This trend continued into the 1990s and early 2000s, with some years showing as low as five births.
However, since around 2005, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of the name Zvi. In 2005, there were thirteen births, which was the highest number recorded since 1984. This trend has continued into recent years, with fifteen births in 2014 and sixteen births in 2018.
Overall, looking at the statistical data, we can see that while the popularity of the name Zvi has varied over the decades, there has been a consistent number of babies being named Zvi each year. The total number of births with the name Zvi in the United States is 654.