Lee
Lee is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Meadow or clearing.
Origin and history
Lee is a traditional English name derived from an Old English word for a meadow or clearing. Historically used for both boys and girls, it gained steady use in the United States throughout the 20th century. Today it remains a recognizable classic, frequently used as both a first name and a middle name.
Popularity in the United States
62,299 babies in the United States have been named Lee since 1880. It ranks #516 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1962.
States where it is most popular
- NY (8.3 %)
- TX (7.5 %)
- CA (6.5 %)
- PA (5.4 %)
- OH (4.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 494 |
| 1890-1900 | 816 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,516 |
| 1910-1920 | 3,883 |
| 1920-1930 | 5,030 |
| 1930-1940 | 4,471 |
| 1940-1950 | 6,803 |
| 1950-1960 | 13,861 |
| 1960-1970 | 13,100 |
| 1970-1980 | 6,590 |
| 1980-1990 | 3,742 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,235 |
| 2000-2010 | 370 |
| 2010-2019 | 249 |
| 2020-2029 | 139 |
Famous people named Lee
- Lee Grant: Actress, Director
- Lee Krasner: Painter, Artist
- Lee Remick: Actress
Fun facts
- Originally denoted someone who lived near a ley, meadow, or pasture in medieval England.
- While used as a given name, Lee has been one of the most common middle names in the U.S. for generations.