Levar (often stylized as LeVar) is a masculine given name primarily used in African American communities. It entered public consciousness through the actor LeVar Burton (born 1957), who rose to fame after portraying Kunta Kinte in the groundbreaking 1977 television miniseries Roots. Burton's birth name was Levardis, also spelled LeVardis, after his father; the meaning of Levardis is uncertain. Burton's widespread recognition led to the adoption of LeVar (and the simplified Levar) as a given name, symbolizing a connection to African American heritage and resilience. As a coinage rather than a traditional name from a classical or biblical language, Levar reflects a trend in African American naming practices of creating distinctive names or respelling existing ones to assert individuality and cultural pride. The capitalized V in LeVar further emphasizes its unique, modern origin. The name's usage remains closely tied to its association with LeVar Burton, who later gained fame as host of the PBS children's series Reading Rainbow and as Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Related etymologically, the Slovenian surname Levar (meaning uncertain) is an unrelated homonym. The given name Levar has no direct connection to that Southeastern European surname. Variant spellings include Levation or other Leva- forms, but Levar and LeVar remain the primary versions. Usage and Significance Practically nonexistent before 1977, records of births in the United States indicate a spike in usage of both Levar and LeVar in the late 1970s and 1980s, intimately tied to the impact of Roots on American culture. The name does not carry ancient linguistic roots, instead deriving its meaning from the professional achievements and activism of its most famous bearer. In a broader sense, Levar represents identity and continuity for African Americans drawing on the resonance of collective memory and the fight for civil rights. Meaning: Popularized by actor LeVar Burton; originating from Levardis (of uncertain meaning) Origin: African American coinage Type: First name Usage Regions: English-speaking world, especially African American community