The name Leviathan is of Hebrew origin and means "coiled serpent." In the Old Testament of the Bible, Leviathan is mentioned as a large sea creature, often interpreted as a whale or dragon-like monster. The term "leviathan" has also come to symbolize anything of great size or power in various cultures.
The name Leviathan has seen some use throughout history but remains quite rare. It was popularized by the philosopher Thomas Hobbes who used it as the title for his political treatise "Leviathan" published in 1651. The book argued that individuals must surrender certain rights to a sovereign power, often referred to as the "Leviathan," to ensure social order.
Today, Leviathan is more commonly known as the name of a heavy metal band and several works of fiction, including a novel by Herman Melville titled "Moby-Dick" where it refers to the whale being pursued by Captain Ahab. Despite its rarity as a given name, Leviathan carries significant historical and cultural weight.
The statistics for the name Leviathan show a significant increase in its popularity over time in the United States. From just 7 births recorded in 1991, there was a steady rise in usage, with notable spikes in recent years.
Between 2000 and 2022, the number of babies named Leviathan has more than doubled every ten years: from 10 births in 2000 to 76 births in 2021. This consistent growth is also reflected in the cumulative total of births: by the end of 2023, there will have been a total of 758 babies named Leviathan in the United States since 1991.
This upward trend suggests that the name Leviathan has gained popularity among parents over time. Despite its relatively rare usage in earlier years, it appears that this unique name has become increasingly appealing to parents in recent decades.