Lee
Lee is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Clearing, meadow, or pasture.
Origin and history
Lee is a classic name derived from the Old English word for a clearing, meadow, or pasture. Historically used as a common surname and given name in the United States, it enjoyed significant popularity in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Today, it remains a familiar, timeless choice for boys as both a first and middle name.
Popularity in the United States
233,627 babies in the United States have been named Lee since 1880. It ranks #167 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #692.
States where it is most popular
- TX (7.8 %)
- CA (6.1 %)
- PA (5.2 %)
- NY (5.2 %)
- IL (4.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 3,945 |
| 1890-1900 | 4,384 |
| 1900-1910 | 5,158 |
| 1910-1920 | 15,380 |
| 1920-1930 | 23,556 |
| 1930-1940 | 23,954 |
| 1940-1950 | 30,978 |
| 1950-1960 | 35,826 |
| 1960-1970 | 30,200 |
| 1970-1980 | 21,546 |
| 1980-1990 | 19,788 |
| 1990-2000 | 9,011 |
| 2000-2010 | 4,161 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,557 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,183 |
Famous people named Lee
- Lee Trevino: Professional Golfer
- Lee Pace: Actor
- Lee Marvin: Actor
Fun facts
- Lee was a mainstay in the top 100 U.S. boy names throughout the late 19th century and much of the 20th century.
- The name originally described someone who lived near a open clearing or grassland area.