Shem
The Israeli Names Portal

לי


Meaning of the name לי

The name 'Li' is a unique and concise Hebrew name, originating from the first-person possessive pronoun in the Hebrew language. The word 'li' appears thousands of times in the Bible and means 'mine', 'for me', or 'to me'. Although the word itself was not originally used as a personal name in ancient sources, it has become a popular and beloved given name in Israel and around the world in recent decades, reflecting a sense of belonging, uniqueness, and personal independence. The name 'Li' carries a profound meaning of self-identity and spiritual ownership. When parents choose this name for their child, they express their emotional ownership and the special connection they feel toward the child. The name represents the idea that every person is a unique entity, with their own rights and characteristics. In modern Israeli culture, the name has gained significant popularity both as a standalone name and as part of compound names such as 'Li-Or', 'Li-El', or 'Li-Ron'. The brevity and simplicity of the name make it accessible and easy to remember, while simultaneously carrying deep and multifaceted meaning. Culturally, the name 'Li' serves as a bridge between ancient Hebrew tradition and modernity. While the word itself is as ancient as the sacred scriptures, its use as a personal name is a relatively new phenomenon, reflecting the trend in Israeli society to choose short, meaningful names with pleasant sounds. The name is particularly popular among both secular and traditional families, and is perceived as a universal name that fits well in international contexts. In the Western world, the name 'Lee' or 'Li' is very common, especially in Anglo-Saxon cultures and in East Asia, making the Hebrew name understandable and accessible outside of Israel as well. The name gives its bearers a sense of belonging to two cultures simultaneously - Hebrew and global.

The name לי with vowels

לִי

The name לי in English

Li | Lee | Leigh

לי is mainly suitable for

Boy and Girl

Is the name לי considered international

Yes

Origin of the name לי from the Bible

Haggai 2:8 - The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts

Origin of the name לי from Kabbalah

In Kabbalah, the name 'Li' represents the personal and direct connection between the soul and the Creator. The letter Lamed symbolizes learning and spiritual elevation, while the letter Yod represents divine inspiration and the presence of the Shekhinah. The name expresses the idea that every soul is 'mine' - belonging both to itself and to the Creator simultaneously, carrying within it a unique and non-transferable divine spark.

Gematria value for the name לי

40

=

30

ל

+

10

י

Numerology value for the name לי

4

=

30

ל

+

10

י

=

40

=

4

+

0

=

4

Famous people named לי

Lee Pace - American actor | Lee Min-ho - South Korean actor | Bruce Lee - Legendary martial artist and actor | Spike Lee - American film director

Total times the name לי was registered

4684 times

Graph of the name לי

* Source: Central Bureau of Statistics. As of April 2022

לי — Name Meaning | שֵׁם