Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Lee
BoyEnglish, Old English· “wood, clearing, meadow”
- Meaning
- wood, clearing, meadow
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- LEE
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #727
- US babies 2025
- 366
- Best rank
- #39 (1900)
- Peak year
- 1951
Meaning and origin of Lee
Lee is an English and Old English name that means “wood, clearing, meadow”.
Lee comes from an English surname based on the Old English leah, meaning wood, clearing or meadow. The same element appears at the end of many English place names and surnames, such as Ashley and Bradley. Lee has been used as a first name for both boys and girls since the nineteenth century. It also coincides with the common Chinese surname Li, a separate name. Well-known bearers of the first name include the actors Lee Marvin and Lee Remick. Lee is short, simple and adaptable, and it is often used as a middle name, where it fits smoothly between longer names.
Popularity over time
Lee has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #39 in 1900, and the most babies received it in 1951, when 3,682 were named Lee. In 2025, 366 babies were named Lee, and it ranked #727 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #82 in 1920, #91 in 1950, #125 in 1980, #469 in 2000, #676 in 2010, and #727 in 2025. Of the 233,627 US boys named Lee since records began, 15% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1940s come next, with 30,978 babies. Since 2010, 5,740 more have been named Lee.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Gordon, Frederick, Allen, Randolph, and Donnie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Lee ranked highest in Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | #285 | 14 |
| Pennsylvania | #410 | 26 |
| Indiana | #471 | 15 |
| Arkansas | #472 | 7 |
| Nebraska | #475 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 94% of US babies named Lee over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Lee is usually pronounced LEE, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with L and ends in “-ee”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Leigh, Lea, and Li.
Middle names for Lee
A few middle names that flow with Lee: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Lee
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Lists that include Lee
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lee mean?
Lee is an English and Old English name that means “wood, clearing, meadow”.
What is the origin of the name Lee?
Lee has English and Old English roots. Lee comes from an English surname based on the Old English leah, meaning wood, clearing or meadow.
Is Lee a popular name?
Yes. Lee ranked #727 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Lee a boy or girl name?
Lee is mainly a boy's name. About 94% of US babies named Lee over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Lee?
Lee is usually pronounced LEE. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings