Lee
Say it: LEE/liː/
BoyMeans usually explained as "meadow" or "clearing"3 letters1 syllable
#348
in Ireland (2025)
#336 with spellings combined
11
babies in 2025
#42
best rank (1998)
4,159
babies since 1970
Down 172
10-year rank change
Lee through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | #336 |
| 2024 | 5 | #559 |
| 2023 | 9 | #388 |
| 2022 | 11 | #357 |
| 2021 | 14 | #300 |
| 2020 | 14 | #299 |
| 2019 | 17 | #262 |
| 2018 | 30 | #186 |
| 2017 | 31 | #188 |
| 2016 | 36 | #166 |
| 2015 | 38 | #164 |
| 2014 | 42 | #157 |
| 2013 | 52 | #126 |
| 2012 | 69 | #103 |
| 2011 | 67 | #111 |
| 2010 | 98 | #82 |
| 2009 | 88 | #90 |
| 2008 | 104 | #78 |
| 2007 | 114 | #70 |
| 2006 | 138 | #55 |
| 2005 | 162 | #46 |
| 2004 | 161 | #46 |
| 2003 | 147 | #42 |
| 2002 | 153 | #46 |
| 2001 | 158 | #47 |
| 2000 | 158 | #44 |
| 1999 | 143 | #46 |
| 1998 | 143 | #42 |
| 1997 | 186 | #45 |
| 1996 | 197 | #43 |
| 1995 | 159 | #50 |
| 1994 | 143 | #52 |
| 1993 | 121 | #61 |
| 1992 | 130 | #58 |
| 1991 | 102 | #66 |
| 1990 | 76 | #84 |
| 1989 | 80 | #81 |
| 1988 | 88 | #75 |
| 1987 | 68 | #84 |
| 1986 | 75 | #84 |
| 1985 | 74 | #86 |
| 1984 | 44 | #116 |
| 1983 | 52 | #105 |
| 1982 | 41 | #119 |
| 1981 | 52 | #108 |
| 1980 | 43 | #121 |
| 1979 | 46 | #113 |
| 1978 | 34 | #124 |
| 1977 | 36 | #121 |
| 1975 | 28 | #127 |
| 1974 | 19 | #159 |
| 1973 | 17 | #169 |
| 1972 | 16 | #168 |
| 1971 | 8 | #217 |
| 1970 | 11 | #185 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Lee mean?
Usually explained as "meadow" or "clearing"
English surname, from Old English lēah (meadow, woodland clearing).
Say it right
LEE
The story of Lee
Lee began as an English surname for someone who lived by a meadow or a clearing, from the Old English word lēah. The same word turns up in many place names and in names such as Bradley. Some sources also link the first name to the word “lee”, meaning shelter, as in the lee of a hill.
In Ireland the name has an extra echo, since the River Lee runs through Cork city, though the river’s name has a separate history.
Lee reached the boys’ list in 1970 and grew for more than two decades. It peaked in 1996, with 197 boys, and was number 42 in 1998. It has become much rarer since, with 11 boys in 2025. Lee was also used for girls, mostly in the 1970s and 1980s, but not since 2003.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Lee (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Lee (given name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Lee | 11 | 4,159 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #42 (1997); 692 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.
Lee is also given to girls: 245 since 1969.