Lee
- Meaning
- Clearing or meadow in its English surname use
- Origin
- English
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What does Lee mean?
Lee means “Clearing or meadow in its English surname use”.
Lee is an English surname and given name associated with a clearing or meadow. It can also be a short form of longer names. Separate surnames written Lee in other languages have different origins, so the English landscape meaning should not be applied to every person who shares the spelling.
Lee has been used as a first and middle name for both boys and girls, as well as a family surname. Leigh is a familiar English spelling comparison, usually with the same sound. Its three letters and single syllable make it compact, while an inherited family connection can give the brief name a much longer personal history.
Nicknames & variations
Explore short forms, spellings, and related names.
Variations & related forms
Related forms and spellings recorded for this name.
How popular is Lee?
United States · 2025Explore how often Lee is used and how its ranking has changed.
- US boys rank
- #727 2025 · #1 is most popular
- Boys named Lee
- 366 Recorded births in 2025
- Change in births
- 1.1% Fewer than 2024
Lee over time
United States · Boys
Recorded births
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Yearly data & usage
Rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys. The summary highlights boys, the most common recorded usage in 2025. Use the chart’s usage selector to explore both categories.
| Year | Usage | US rank | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | #727 | 366 |
| 2025 | Girls | #5,832 | 21 |
| 2024 | Boys | #716 | 370 |
| 2024 | Girls | #5,230 | 25 |
| 2023 | Boys | #705 | 377 |
| 2023 | Girls | #5,325 | 24 |
| 2022 | Boys | #698 | 379 |
| 2022 | Girls | #5,105 | 26 |
| 2021 | Boys | #700 | 378 |
| 2021 | Girls | #7,495 | 15 |
| 2020 | Boys | #769 | 313 |
| 2020 | Girls | #4,705 | 28 |
| 2019 | Boys | #783 | 297 |
| 2019 | Girls | #6,094 | 20 |
| 2018 | Boys | #690 | 352 |
| 2018 | Girls | #5,090 | 26 |
| 2017 | Boys | #681 | 369 |
| 2017 | Girls | #5,949 | 21 |
| 2016 | Boys | #664 | 390 |
| 2016 | Girls | #4,398 | 33 |
| 2015 | Boys | #678 | 375 |
| 2015 | Girls | #5,585 | 24 |
| 2014 | Boys | #703 | 350 |
| 2014 | Girls | #5,727 | 23 |
Years reflect available birth records. Missing records do not mean zero births.
Names like Lee
Explore the connection, then save your favorites to compare.
Leeland
Mostly boys- Meaning
- Meadow land
Listed as a related name to Lee.
Leanne
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Lee and Anne; meadow and grace
Listed as a related name to Lee.
James
Mostly boys- Meaning
- Supplanter
Shares an origin with Lee.
Jack
Mostly boys- Meaning
- God is gracious
Shares an origin with Lee.
Hudson
Mostly boys- Meaning
- Hugh's son
Shares an origin with Lee.
Julian
Mostly boys- Meaning
- Uncertain; proposed meanings include youthful or downy-bearded
Shares an origin with Lee.
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