Boy · 78th of 7,545
Lee
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
295,534
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1956
Peak Popularity Year
5,446
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Lee stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
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 Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
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)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
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
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 5 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
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
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |