Lieven (given name)


Lieven is a Dutch language masculine given name. A Germanic name, it derives from Lief-win, meaning "dear friend". The name was popular in the Low Countries through the Anglo-Saxon missionary Liafwin who died around 775 in Deventer. Veneration of Saint Livinus of Ghent, who was probably invented in the 10th or 11th century and modeled after Lebuinus, made the name popular in Flanders and especially Ghent. Alternative spellings are Lieve, Lievin and the French-appearing Liévin. People with the name include: