Lee Baby Name: Meaning, Origin, Middle Name Pairings & More

Lee is an extremely popular name in the United States, as a given name, a surname and even a middle name. As a matter of fact, it may be more common as a middle name or surname in modern times. It's used for both boys and girls, though this spelling is more common for boys. The fact that it's short and to the point makes it quite versatile, so feel free to use it however you like.

Meaning of the name Lee:

English: Clearing, meadow

Origin of the name Lee:

Lee is an English surname that's derived from the word “lēah.” Lēah meant “clearing” or “meadow.” As a surname, it was first spelled “de la Leie” during the 12th century.

Symbolism of the name Lee:

The baby name Lee's popularity as a given name, middle name and surname mean that many people often choose it as a gesture to honor another relative or loved one. When it started as a place name, it was considered a good place to build a village, so it could be a symbol of a new start or a strong foundation for a new life.

Style of the name Lee:

Traditional

Gender of the name Lee:

Lee is a name for both boys and girls.

Pronunciation of the name Lee:

LEE

Number of syllables in the name Lee:

One

Emotion evoked from the name Lee:

The baby name Lee evokes images of someone who is hopeful and has big dreams.

Alternative spellings for the name Lee:

• Leigh
• Lea

Nicknames for the name Lee:

N/A

Popularity of the name Lee:

For boys, Lee has been a top 1,000 baby name for as long as the Social Security Administration has been keeping up with given names. Up until 1955, it was even a top 100 baby name for boys. It last ranked at number 768 in 2020. For girls, Lee was a top 1,000 baby name up until 1990. It last ranked at 957 in 1990.

Related names for the name Lee:

• Leroy 
• Leah 
• Ashley 
• Bentley 
• Bradley 

Great middle names for Lee and their meanings:

For girls:

• Allison (noble)
• Margaret (pearl)
• Catherine (pure)
• Madison (child of Matthew)
• Caroline (free man)

For boys:

• Thomas (twin)
• Oliver (olive tree)
• Augustust (great, magnificent)
• Henry (ruler of the house)
• River (river)

Famous people with the name Lee:

• Lee Greenwood (singer)
• Lee Majors (actor)
• Lee Grosscup (football player and announcer)
• Lee Trevino (golfer)
• Lee Williamson (football player)

Lees in popular culture:

• Lee Adama (character on the TV show “Battlestar Galactica”)
• Lee Everett (character from the “Walking Dead” franchise)
• Lee Jordan (character from the “Harry Potter” franchise)
• Lee McDermott (character from the TV show “Desperate Housewives”)
• Lee Brackett (character from the “Halloween” movies)