Lee vs Neil

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Lee

Boy #715 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"meadow, woodland clearing"

Origin: Old English leah

Cultural Roots

English American Chinese (as Li) Korean

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#715
Total SSA Count
370
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

15 High Risk

{:type=>:rhyme, :severity=>:medium, :message=>"'Lee' rhymes with 'pee'"}

Full profile for Lee →

Neil

Boy #866 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"cloud"

Origin: Old Irish

Cultural Roots

Irish Scottish English Scandinavian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#866
Total SSA Count
278
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Neil →

Popularity Comparison

Lee Rank #715
Neil Rank #866

Lee is more popular, ranked #715 vs #866 for Neil.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Lee ___

  • Lee James
  • Lee Andrew
  • Lee Michael
  • Lee Thomas
  • Lee Roy
  • Lee Wayne

Neil ___

  • Neil James
  • Neil Thomas
  • Neil Patrick
  • Neil Robert
  • Neil Alan
  • Neil Gordon

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Lee

Dale Roy Kay Mae Scott

If you choose Neil

Colin Brendan Siobhan Fiona Sean

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lee or Neil more popular?

Lee is more popular, ranked #715 compared to Neil at #866 in the United States.

What do Lee and Neil mean?

Lee means "meadow, woodland clearing" (Old English leah origin). Neil means "cloud" (Old Irish origin).

Are Lee and Neil boy or girl names?

Lee is primarily a boy name. Neil is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Lee ← Full profile: Neil Browse all baby names