Levinus

Levinus is a masculine given name of Latin origin. In medieval and early modern Europe, scholars and clerics often Latinized personal names in their writings, and Levinus served as the Latin form for vernacular names such as Levi or Levius. The name appears in Latin biographies, scholastic works, and natural philosophy treatises from the Renaissance onward.

One of the best-known bearers of the name is Levinus Lemnius, a 16th-century Dutch physician and writer who used Levinus in his publications. His work is associated with early modern approaches to natural philosophy and medicine, reflecting the period’s blending of observation and inquiry.

Today, Levinus is largely historical and most often encountered in Latin texts, bibliographic lists, or discussions of Renaissance nomenclature. It remains uncommon as a contemporary given name outside scholarly or ecclesiastical contexts. For those studying name history, Levinus is related to other forms such as Levi, Levius, and Levis, which reflect the same root in different linguistic and stylistic contexts.