"woodland clearing, meadow"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Lee
Pronunciation: [ l-EE ]
Does Lee flow with your last name?
Simple as a meadow, enduring as English soil
English
American
Chinese
Vintage
Minimalist
Classic
Gentle
Traditional
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"plum tree (as Chinese surname 李)"
Origin: Chinese
Language: Chinese
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Things to Know About This Name
- The surname Lee has Confederate Civil War associations (Robert E. Lee) that some parents wish to avoid
The Story of Lee
Lee derives from the Old English 'leah,' meaning 'woodland clearing,' 'meadow,' or 'glade' — a reference to patches of open land within forests, which were valuable for farming and settlement. It became one of the most common elements in English place names (like Henley, Berkley, Bramley) and eventually a widespread English surname. As a given name, Lee has been used for both boys and girls since at least the 19th century, making it one of the earlier truly gender-neutral American names.
Lee was a popular girl's name in the United States from the 1930s through 1970s, often given as a middle name or as the first element in double names like Mary Lee or Ann Lee. Its peak as a standalone given name was the 1950s-60s, reflecting the midcentury taste for simple, no-fuss names. Today it appears far more often as a middle name than a first name, which gives it a quietly classic feel rather than an outdated one.
Lee is also a major surname in Chinese culture (李, Lǐ), one of the most common surnames in China and throughout the Chinese diaspora. This coincidence gives the name unusual cross-cultural presence. In American culture, the name carries varied associations: the frontier simplicity of Bruce Lee, the literary gravitas of Harper Lee, and the complicated legacy of Robert E. Lee.
Historical Record
Lee first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 39,265 babies have been named Lee in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Lee is past its peak , currently ranked #5,221 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Lee is one of the top 5 most common surnames in China (李, Lǐ), shared by over 100 million people
- Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, was actually named Nelle Harper Lee — she went by her middle name
- Bruce Lee's Chinese name was 李小龍 (Lǐ Xiǎolóng), meaning 'Little Dragon'
Lee in Other Languages
Korean
이 (Yi/Lee, surname)
Chinese
李 (Lǐ, surname)
Spanish
Lee
Japanese
リー
Vietnamese
Lý (surname)
Popularity Over Time
#5,221
Current Rank
Peaked 1955
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Lee with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #5,221
- Total SSA Count
- 25
- Cultural Origins
- English American Chinese
- 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
-
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
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, 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 Boy Name
Lee is also used as a boy name, ranked #715.
View Lee as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Old English origin
"royal fortress meadow"
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Makaiah
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Biblical Hebrew origin
"none comparable to God"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lee
What does the name Lee mean?
"woodland clearing, meadow" (from Old English). "plum tree (as Chinese surname 李)" (from Chinese). Lee derives from the Old English 'leah,' meaning 'woodland clearing,' 'meadow,' or 'glade' — a reference to patches of open land within forests, which were valuable for farming and settlement. It became one of the most common elements in English place names (like Henley, Berkley, Bramley) and eventually a widespread English surname. As a given name, Lee has been used for both boys and girls since at least the 19th century, making it one of the earlier truly gender-neutral American names.
What is the origin of the name Lee?
Lee has Old English, Chinese, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "woodland clearing, meadow". In Chinese, it means "plum tree (as Chinese surname 李)".
Is Lee a boy or girl name?
Lee is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #5221. As a boy name, it is ranked #715. 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 #5221 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Lee?
Popular middle name pairings include Lee Ann, Lee Marie, Lee Elizabeth, Lee Victoria, Lee Catherine, Lee Renee, and Lee Grace.
What are good sibling names for Lee?
Names that pair well with Lee as siblings include June, Dale, Ray, Mae, Jo, Blair, and Lynn.
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 an uncommon name, ranked #5221 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Lee?
About the Name Lee
Lee is a girl name with English, American, and Chinese origins . The name means "woodland clearing, meadow" in Old English .
Is Lee a boy or girl name? Lee is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #5,221 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #715. Lee is more commonly used as a boy name.
Lee is currently ranked #5,221 in popularity for girl 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 Leena, Leela, Leen, Leeann, Leeba . 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