Lee

At a Glance

Meaning

Primarily 'dweller near a meadow or clearing' (Old English); also an anglicized rendering of unrelated Chinese (李) and Korean (이/리) surnames

Origin

English; also anglicized Chinese/Korean

Gender

Neutral

Pronunciation

LEEListen

Lee is a short, easy-to-say name (LEE, /ˈliː/) that works for any gender. In Old English it points to someone who lived near a meadow or clearing, and it has also long served as the anglicized form of the unrelated Chinese surname 李 and Korean surname 이/리. It's the kind of simple, nature-tied name that fits a bohemian, minimalist, outdoors-leaning sensibility.

Meaning & Origin of Lee

Meaning: Primarily 'dweller near a meadow or clearing' (Old English); also an anglicized rendering of unrelated Chinese (李) and Korean (이/리) surnames.

Origin: English; also anglicized Chinese/Korean.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Lee

Popularity of Lee

The SSA has tracked Lee since 1880, and it peaked at #39 in 1900 with 675 babies given the name. By 2024 it had slipped to #714, with 370 babies — still in use, just far below its early-1900s high.

Names Like Lee

These names share Lee’s style, era or origin.

• Ash
• Bay
• Bear
• Bloom
• Coast
• Holt

FAQ

What does the name Lee mean?

Primarily ‘dweller near a meadow or clearing’ (Old English); also an anglicized rendering of unrelated Chinese (李) and Korean (이/리) surnames. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Lee?

Lee is pronounced LEE (IPA: /ˈliː/).

Is Lee a popular name right now?

Lee peaked at #39 in 1900 and is ranked #714 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Lee Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Lee, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.