Leventis (Λεβέντης) is a
Greek word for describing a brave man, derived from the Greek name for the
Levant. Because ''nt'' is pronounced /nd/ in Greek, the name is sometimes spelled ''Levendis''. The etymology of Leventis is given in the Oxford Dictionary of American Family Names:
Alternatively, it may originate from the Turkish word
Levend.
Contemporary Meaning
In contemporary Greek, "levendis" means a handsome and gallant male.
People
{{surname
Here is a partial list of people named Leventis or Levendis:
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Anastasios George Leventis (1902-1978), Greek-Cypriot businessman and dominant figure in the economy of many West African countries and especially Nigeria. Held the title of Babalaje of
Egbaland.
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Andrew G. Leventis (born 1980), American painter and professor
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Phil P. Leventis
Phil P. Leventis is a former Democratic member of the South Carolina Senate who represented the 35th District from 1980 to 2012.
Born in Lexington County, South Carolina, Leventis graduated from the University of Virginia in 1969. He then rece ...
(born 1945), American politician
*
Vassilis Leventis
Vasileios "Vasilis" Leventis ( el, Βασίλειος "Βασίλης" Λεβέντης, ; born 2 November 1951) is a Greek politician, leader of the Greek centrist party, Union of Centrists () since 1992 and former Member of Parliament, in offi ...
(born 1951), Greek politician
*
George Levendis, TV and music industry executive
In
Harlan Ellison
Harlan Jay Ellison (May 27, 1934 – June 28, 2018) was an American writer, known for his prolific and influential work in New Wave speculative fiction and for his outspoken, combative personality. Robert Bloch, the author of '' Psycho'' ...
's short story
The Man Who Rowed Christopher Columbus Ashore, each of the vignettes that comprise the story are preceded by "LEVENDIS":
Sports
The Nigerian football team
Leventis United is named after the A. G. Leventis foundation created by Anastasios G. Leventis.
Greek-language surnames
Surnames