Lee Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Lee originates from the Old English word 'leah', meaning 'meadow' or 'clearing'. It has evolved through various forms from 'Leah' in Old English to 'Lee' in Modern English. The name suggests traits of nature and simplicity. Lee has no biblical significance but has been widely used since the Anglo-Saxon era, gaining popularity in the 19th century. It has several variants like Leigh and Lea and is currently perceived as a classic name.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Lee"
Pronunciation
/liː/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Lee originates from the Old English word 'leah', which means 'clearing' or 'meadow'. It was used to describe someone who lived near a meadow or a clearing in the woods.
Meaning
meadow, clearing
Language Evolution
Leah (Old English), Le (Middle English), Lee (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Lee has been used since the Anglo-Saxon period and gained popularity in the 19th century as a given name and a surname, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
Leigh, Li, Lea
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Lee is considered a classic and timeless name that conveys simplicity and nature. It is commonly used as both a first name and a surname.
Famous People
Robert E. Lee (American general), Lee Iacocca (American businessman), Lee Marvin (American actor)
📊 Lee Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Lee Name Visualizations
✨ Lee Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 5,446 peak births in 1956
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Mississippi
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Lee" - Complete Guide (5 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Lee". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 5 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Lee" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Lee"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Lee"
"Lee" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 78th of 7545 | 38,928 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 79th of 6773 | 45,394 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 102nd of 7552 | 65,725 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 123rd of 10718 | 38,086 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 190th of 16616 | 24,857 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 556th of 24088 | 6,956 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 710th of 23106 | 4,306 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 282nd of 9107 | 9,304 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 288th of 9204 | 8,937 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 228th of 12526 | 24,341 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 311th of 19264 | 13,186 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 756th of 27321 | 4,085 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 3483rd of 35406 | 683 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 5311th of 30306 | 294 |
Regional Popularity of "Lee" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
7.06% 100th/1416 |
11.17% 154th/1379 |
1.94% 46th/2366 |
6.74% 77th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
5.89% 91st/1546 |
6.49% 101st/1556 |
2.85% 67th/2353 |
5.04% 78th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
4.49% 100th/2227 |
4.03% 98th/2430 |
3.51% 100th/2853 |
4.04% 112th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
3.95% 116th/2937 |
3.45% 120th/3483 |
3.24% 114th/3518 |
3.71% 150th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
4.15% 153rd/3685 |
3.75% 168th/4475 |
3.37% 175th/5194 |
4.05% 256th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
10.91% 500th/4582 |
11.13% 575th/5164 |
7.01% 513th/7313 |
9.67% 722nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
15.04% 599th/3984 |
16.51% 741st/4487 |
10.07% 687th/6822 |
13.85% 869th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Lee" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
27.40% 388th/1416 |
19.14% 264th/1379 |
9.55% 226th/2366 |
35.03% 400th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
21.47% 332nd/1546 |
18.12% 282nd/1556 |
11.56% 272nd/2353 |
19.59% 303rd/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
9.65% 215th/2227 |
8.56% 208th/2430 |
8.76% 250th/2853 |
8.86% 246th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
10.93% 321st/2937 |
8.01% 279th/3483 |
7.42% 261st/3518 |
11.35% 459th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
21.93% 808th/3685 |
14.12% 632nd/4475 |
12.78% 664th/5194 |
17.29% 1092nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
100.00% 4582nd/4582 |
49.07% 2534th/5164 |
49.36% 3610th/7313 |
52.63% 3928th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
82.79% 3715th/4487 |
82.50% 5628th/6822 |
70.49% 4424th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Lee"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Lee" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Lee" in the United States
The name Lee is most popular in Mississippi, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Lee has been too falling for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, too falling for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Lee' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 78th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 79th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 102nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 123rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 190th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 556th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 710th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 282nd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 288th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 228th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 311th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 756th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3483rd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 5311th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Lee' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.