"meadow, woodland clearing"
Origin: Old English leah
Language: English
Lee
Pronunciation: [ l-EE ]
Does Lee flow with your last name?
A one-syllable classic that spans cultures
English
American
Chinese (as Li)
Korean
Classic
Minimalist
Vintage
Traditional
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"plum tree (unrelated homophone)"
Origin: Chinese 李
Language: Chinese
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Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with Confederate general Robert E. Lee — may carry historical baggage in some American contexts
The Story of Lee
Lee derives from the Old English leah meaning a meadow, woodland clearing, or open area. It began as a topographic surname for families living near such clearings, then transitioned to a given name. In Chinese, the surname Li (李) is homophonous but entirely unrelated — a distinct character meaning plum tree — yet Lee bridges both cultures naturally.
Lee was a top-100 American boys name from the 1890s through the 1980s, often used as both a first name and middle name. Its simplicity made it a reliable middle name choice (Robert E. Lee format), and it remains common in this role today.
In the American South, Lee carries associations with Confederate general Robert E. Lee, which for some families is a point of pride and for others a reason to avoid it. In Asian-American communities, Lee is a common surname transliteration used as a given name with no such connotations.
Historical Record
Lee first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 125,901 babies have been named Lee in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Lee is past its peak , currently ranked #715 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Lee Harvey Oswald, Bruce Lee, and Robert E. Lee share a name that has been carried by both heroes and villains of history
- Lee is one of the most common surnames in the world when counting Chinese Li
- The name appears in the top 10 most common middle names for American boys born 1950-1990
Lee in Other Languages
Irish
Léigh
Welsh
Leigh
Korean
이 (Yi/Lee)
Chinese
李 (Lǐ)
Vietnamese
Lý
Popularity Over Time
#715
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Lee
B
Bruce Lee
Actor
1940
Legendary martial artist, actor, and philosopher who revolutionized the action film genre
L
Lee Harvey Oswald
Other
1939
American man charged with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963
S
Stan Lee
Writer
1922
Co-creator of Marvel Comics characters including Spider-Man, Iron Man, and the X-Men
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Compare Lee with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #715
- Total SSA Count
- 370
- Cultural Origins
- English American Chinese (as Li) Korean
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Lee
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Lee is also used as a girl name, ranked #5221.
View Lee as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lee
What does the name Lee mean?
"meadow, woodland clearing" (from Old English leah). "plum tree (unrelated homophone)" (from Chinese 李). Lee derives from the Old English leah meaning a meadow, woodland clearing, or open area. It began as a topographic surname for families living near such clearings, then transitioned to a given name. In Chinese, the surname Li (李) is homophonous but entirely unrelated — a distinct character meaning plum tree — yet Lee bridges both cultures naturally.
What is the origin of the name Lee?
Lee has Old English leah, Chinese 李, English, American, Chinese (as Li), and Korean origins. In Old English leah, it means "meadow, woodland clearing". In Chinese 李, it means "plum tree (unrelated homophone)".
Is Lee a boy or girl name?
Lee is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #715. As a girl name, it is ranked #5221. Lee is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Lee?
Lee is pronounced l-EE.
How popular is the name Lee?
Lee is currently ranked #715 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Lee?
Popular middle name pairings include Lee James, Lee Andrew, Lee Michael, Lee Thomas, Lee Roy, Lee Wayne, and Lee Alan.
What are good sibling names for Lee?
Names that pair well with Lee as siblings include Dale, Roy, Kay, Mae, Scott, Todd, and June.
How many syllables does Lee have?
Lee has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Lee a common or rare name?
Lee is moderately common, ranked #715 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What boy names are similar to Lee?
About the Name Lee
Lee is a boy name with English, American, Chinese (as Li), and Korean origins . The name means "meadow, woodland clearing" in Old English leah .
Is Lee a boy or girl name? Lee is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #715 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #5,221. Lee is more commonly used as a boy name.
Lee is currently ranked #715 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Lee has 1 syllable and is pronounced l-EE, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Lee include Leeland, Leeroy, Leevi . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis