Zvi

Zvi is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin. It derives from the biblical Hebrew word tzvi, meaning gazelle, and carries associations with grace and swiftness. The name has been used for centuries within Jewish communities and remains common in Israel today.

Transliteration from Hebrew leads to several variants, including Zvi, Tzvi, Zeevi, and Zevi. The different spellings reflect differences in pronunciation and regional naming practices among Ashkenazi and Sephardi communities, as well as adaptations in diaspora settings. In many cases, Zvi appears as a component of compound names, such as Zvi Hirsch or Zvi Yehuda, within traditional Jewish naming customs.

Notable bearers include Zvi Hirsch Kalischer (1795–1874), a Hungarian-born rabbi and early advocate of practical Zionism, and Zvi Yehuda Kook (1891–1982), an influential Religious Zionist rabbi and philosopher. These figures illustrate the name’s long association with religious scholarship and Jewish public life.

In contemporary usage, Zvi remains common in Israel and among Jewish communities worldwide. While primarily a given name, it can also appear as a surname in some cases, though this is less typical. The name’s enduring presence reflects its biblical roots and its continued cultural resonance within Jewish tradition.