Lee
Lee: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /liː/
Meaning and origin of Lee
Root meaning: “meadow”
- A unisex given name.
- A male given name.
- A female given name.
- A nickname for various given names with the first syllable as Lee; Clipping of Leo, Leroy.
Etymology
From Old English lēa, the dative case of lēah (“meadow”), originally to denote someone who lived near a meadow.
How popular is Lee?
Since 1880, 62,299 girls and 233,627 boys in the U.S. have been named Lee (21% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #183 in 1955. Its highest rank for boys was #39 in 1900. In 2025 it ranked #727 for boys, with 387 babies given the name.
Names similar to Lee
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English unisex names
Sibling name ideas for Lee
Sister and brother names that share Lee's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Lee FAQ
What does the name Lee mean?
Lee traces back to a root meaning "meadow". A unisex given name. A male given name. A female given name. A nickname for various given names with the first syllable as Lee; Clipping of Leo, Leroy. From Old English lēa, the dative case of lēah (“meadow”), originally to denote someone who lived near a meadow.
What is the origin of the name Lee?
Lee is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Lee?
Since 1880, 62,299 girls and 233,627 boys in the U.S. have been named Lee (21% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #183 in 1955. Its highest rank for boys was #39 in 1900. In 2025 it ranked #727 for boys, with 387 babies given the name.
Is Lee a boy or girl name?
Lee is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (62,299 girls and 233,627 boys since 1880).
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.