gender neutral
Lee
meadow, clearing in the woods
About Lee
Simplicity achieves elegance in this understated powerhouse. The brevity holds remarkable strength, proving that impact doesn't require elaboration. This name has graced generations across continents, adapting effortlessly to countless cultural contexts while maintaining its essential character. Its versatility is unmatched—functioning beautifully as a first name, middle name, or surname. The single syllable provides clarity and ease, eliminating spelling confusion and pronunciation challenges entirely. In an era of increasingly complex naming conventions, this choice offers refreshing directness. Historical figures, artists, and leaders have carried this name with distinction, establishing a legacy of accomplishment and respect. The gender-neutral aspect appeals to modern sensibilities while honoring traditional usage. Parents selecting this name often appreciate minimalism and timelessness over fleeting trends. It pairs harmoniously with virtually any middle or last name, creating balanced combinations. The name's quiet confidence speaks volumes without shouting, embodying the principle that less truly can be more.
Popularity of the Name Lee
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | United Kingdom | New Zealand | Ireland | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #43 | ||||
| 1881 | #44 | ||||
| 1882 | #41 | ||||
| 1883 | #43 | ||||
| 1884 | #43 | ||||
| 1885 | #50 | ||||
| 1886 | #47 | ||||
| 1887 | #44 | ||||
| 1888 | #48 | ||||
| 1889 | #46 | ||||
| 1890 | #44 | ||||
| 1891 | #52 | ||||
| 1892 | #46 | ||||
| 1893 | #46 | ||||
| 1894 | #45 | ||||
| 1895 | #47 | ||||
| 1896 | #48 | ||||
| 1897 | #47 | ||||
| 1898 | #46 | ||||
| 1899 | #50 | ||||
| 1900 | #39 | ||||
| 1901 | #45 | ||||
| 1902 | #46 | ||||
| 1903 | #45 | ||||
| 1904 | #45 | ||||
| 1905 | #49 | ||||
| 1906 | #58 | ||||
| 1907 | #54 | ||||
| 1908 | #51 | ||||
| 1909 | #52 | ||||
| 1910 | #49 | ||||
| 1911 | #67 | ||||
| 1912 | #78 | ||||
| 1913 | #78 | ||||
| 1914 | #84 | ||||
| 1915 | #84 | ||||
| 1916 | #83 | ||||
| 1917 | #85 | ||||
| 1918 | #86 | ||||
| 1919 | #82 | ||||
| 1920 | #82 | ||||
| 1921 | #86 | ||||
| 1922 | #83 | ||||
| 1923 | #85 | ||||
| 1924 | #83 | ||||
| 1925 | #82 | ||||
| 1926 | #85 | ||||
| 1927 | #86 | ||||
| 1928 | #87 | ||||
| 1929 | #85 | ||||
| 1930 | #82 | ||||
| 1931 | #90 | ||||
| 1932 | #86 | ||||
| 1933 | #79 | ||||
| 1934 | #79 | ||||
| 1935 | #80 | ||||
| 1936 | #76 | ||||
| 1937 | #78 | ||||
| 1938 | #80 | ||||
| 1939 | #78 | ||||
| 1940 | #80 | ||||
| 1941 | #81 | ||||
| 1942 | #87 | ||||
| 1943 | #91 | ||||
| 1944 | #85 | ||||
| 1945 | #87 | ||||
| 1946 | #91 | ||||
| 1947 | #92 | ||||
| 1948 | #93 | ||||
| 1949 | #93 | ||||
| 1950 | #91 | ||||
| 1951 | #92 | #183 | |||
| 1952 | #92 | #171 | |||
| 1953 | #93 | #169 | |||
| 1954 | #96 | #157 | |||
| 1955 | #96 | #194 | |||
| 1956 | #104 | #160 | |||
| 1957 | #105 | ||||
| 1958 | #114 | #158 | |||
| 1959 | #115 | #149 | |||
| 1960 | #116 | #156 | |||
| 1961 | #122 | #188 | |||
| 1962 | #115 | #151 | |||
| 1963 | #119 | #172 | |||
| 1964 | #117 | #144 | |||
| 1965 | #117 | #154 | |||
| 1966 | #106 | #190 | |||
| 1967 | #103 | #109 | |||
| 1968 | #106 | #112 | |||
| 1969 | #118 | #88 | |||
| 1970 | #118 | #98 | #187 | ||
| 1971 | #128 | #115 | #225 | ||
| 1972 | #125 | #154 | #170 | ||
| 1973 | #123 | #124 | #173 | ||
| 1974 | #124 | #103 | #162 | ||
| 1975 | #137 | #74 | #129 | ||
| 1976 | #138 | #71 | |||
| 1977 | #133 | #68 | #121 | ||
| 1978 | #133 | #87 | #124 | ||
| 1979 | #129 | #91 | #114 | ||
| 1980 | #125 | #106 | #122 | ||
| 1981 | #123 | #89 | #108 | ||
| 1982 | #123 | #88 | #122 | ||
| 1983 | #138 | #97 | #105 | ||
| 1984 | #124 | #124 | #116 | ||
| 1985 | #142 | #101 | #87 | ||
| 1986 | #145 | #91 | #84 | ||
| 1987 | #154 | #80 | #85 | ||
| 1988 | #156 | #103 | #75 | ||
| 1989 | #188 | #112 | #81 | ||
| 1990 | #213 | #130 | #84 | ||
| 1991 | #229 | #117 | #66 | #232 | |
| 1992 | #255 | #140 | #59 | #226 | |
| 1993 | #284 | #118 | #61 | #246 | |
| 1994 | #297 | #218 | #52 | #329 | |
| 1995 | #330 | #227 | #50 | #303 | |
| 1996 | #343 | #211 | #45 | #364 | |
| 1997 | #388 | #68 | #205 | #45 | #339 |
| 1998 | #404 | #70 | #224 | #42 | #505 |
| 1999 | #449 | #81 | #246 | #46 | #473 |
| 2000 | #469 | #80 | #206 | #44 | #640 |
| 2001 | #464 | #97 | #184 | #47 | #621 |
| 2002 | #517 | #98 | #266 | #46 | #661 |
| 2003 | #557 | #108 | #247 | #43 | #655 |
| 2004 | #557 | #116 | #294 | #46 | #674 |
| 2005 | #590 | #136 | #318 | #46 | #921 |
| 2006 | #610 | #144 | #374 | #55 | #902 |
| 2007 | #638 | #155 | #313 | #70 | #804 |
| 2008 | #671 | #168 | #393 | #78 | #939 |
| 2009 | #658 | #204 | #90 | #671 | |
| 2010 | #676 | #228 | #332 | #83 | #668 |
| 2011 | #670 | #267 | #367 | #111 | |
| 2012 | #663 | #302 | #310 | #104 | |
| 2013 | #668 | #332 | #126 | #877 | |
| 2014 | #703 | #376 | #160 | #882 | |
| 2015 | #678 | #460 | #165 | ||
| 2016 | #664 | #545 | #167 | #853 | |
| 2017 | #681 | #629 | #193 | #954 | |
| 2018 | #690 | #588 | #192 | ||
| 2019 | #783 | #642 | #271 | ||
| 2020 | #769 | #760 | #308 | ||
| 2021 | #700 | #816 | #310 | ||
| 2022 | #698 | #968 | #362 | ||
| 2023 | #705 | #407 | |||
| 2024 | #716 | #600 | |||
| 2025 | #727 | #355 |
Top names by country: United States · United Kingdom · New Zealand · Ireland · Canada
Variations of Name Lee
- Leigh
- Lea
Names Similar to Lee
Nicknames for Lee
- Li
- Leroy
Famous People Named Lee
| Lee Harvey Oswald | Assassin of John F. Kennedy |
| Lee Majors | American actor |
| Lee Van Cleef | Dutch-American actor |
| Lee Pace | American actor |
| Lee Evans | British comedian and actor |
| Lee Min-ho | South Korean actor |
| Lee Dong-wook | South Korean actor |
| Lee Daniels | American film director |
| Lee Joon-gi | South Korean actor |
| Lee Tergesen | American actor |
| Lee Hyori | South Korean singer and actress |
| Lee Seung-gi | South Korean singer and actor |
| Lee Child | British author |
| Lee Jong-suk | South Korean actor and model |
| Lee Corso | American sports broadcaster |
| Lee Priest | Australian bodybuilder and professional wrestler |