Lee Name Meaning
Learn more about the meaning, origin, and popularity of the name.
Fact checked by Elizabeth BrownfieldFact checked by Elizabeth Brownfield
Lee is a given name derived from a surname of English origin, which means “clearing” or “meadow.” The surname was originally given to a person who lived in or near a laye, from the middle English word meaning “clearing in the woods."
Although Lee is often considered a gender-neutral name, the alternate spelling of Leigh has often been used for girls. Lee is also popular as a middle name, showing up in names like Annabel Lee, Bobby Lee, Jamie Lee, and others.
Origin: The name Lee comes from English word laye, which means “clearing in the woods” or “meadow.”
Gender: Lee is most commonly used as a boy name. The variation Leigh is more frequently used for girls.
Pronunciation: LEE
Editor's Note
Although baby names are separated by gender, Parents believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It's important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best.
How Popular Is the Name Lee?
The name Lee first appeared in the Social Security Administration's list of the top 1,000 names for baby boys as No. 39 in 1900. The name remained in the top 100 for the next 55 years.
Lee's popularity endured through the 1980s but it eventually started to wane. Between 1990 and 2000, it dropped over 250 spots in the rankings. After that, the name continued to fall out of favor. In 2023, Lee ranked at No. 706 for boys.
As a girl name, Lee ranked No. 278 in the top 1,000 names for baby girls in 1900. It peaked in 1955 as a girl name when it was ranked No. 183. The name then hovered around that range on the list until the 1970s when it started to steadily decrease in popularity. By 1991, it had completely fallen off the top 1,000 names for baby girls.
Similar Names
Similar sounding names include:
Ashley
Bentley
Bradley
Hadley
Huxley
Leah
Leigh
Lena
Lia
Riley
Stanley
Wesley
Other Old English names include:
Bancroft
Benedict
Clifford
Dunstan
Elton
Farley
Grayson
Leighton
Marlow
Other names that start with "L" include:
Suggested Sibling Names
Looking for a sibling name for Lee? Here are some popular options:
Jean
Jordan
Kyle
Lindsay
Lynne
Robin
Sam
Shannon
Taylor
Famous People Named Lee
As a popular name throughout the last century, history would record not only famous people named Lee, but also some infamous ones as well. One of the most infamous was Lee Harvey Oswald, a former US Marine who assassinated United States president John F. Kennedy in 1963.
Lee is also one of the most enduring and recognized brands of denim jeans in the United States. The company was formed by Henry David Lee in the late 1880s producing dungarees and jackets and eventually denim jeans as we know them today. The company rebranded into the iconic Lee brand which remains recognizable worldwide.
Famous Lees
Lee Child, British author
Lee DeWyze, American singer and the winner of talent show American Idol
Lee Grant, Academy Award-winning American actress and director
Lee Greenwood, American country music singer
Lee Iacocca, American automobile executive who developed the Ford Mustang and Ford Pinto cars
Lee Janzen, American professional golfer
Lenore “Lee” Krasner, American abstract expressionist painter
Lee Pace, American actor
Lee Wiley, American jazz singer
Fictional Lees
Lee Adama, the principal character in the television series Battlestar Galactica
Lee Jordan, a wizard character in the Harry Potter series
Lee McDermott, a character in the TV series Desperate Housewives
More Baby Names
Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options:
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Read the original article on Parents.
