Name meaning & stats
Lee
Lee means “meadow” (Old English origin). 203,339 US babies since 1940, peak 1956. Notable Lees are 2.2× over-represented as footballers.
What it means
“meadow”
Old EnglishWell documented
From lēah; first a surname.
In US birth records
Peak year: 1956
203,339 US babies were named Lee between 1940 and 2025.
Where Lees end up
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Footballer | 2.2× | High · 207 people |
| Politician | 0.9× | High · 84 people |
| Actor | 0.9× | High · 74 people |
| Musician | 1.3× | High · 71 people |
Among notable men who are footballers, Lees show up 2.2× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
One more thing…
Lee has a surprise career: 1.5×
Name twins (peaked around 1956)