Names / Lee
Is Lee a first name or a last name?
Lee is both: a family name in some places and a given name in others. It is mostly a family name in South Korea.
Lee is a family name for Koreans (also spelled Yi or Rhee) and for many Chinese (Li in pinyin). In English-speaking countries it is also a given name and a common middle name, so where it sits in the name matters.
How to address someone called Lee
- South Korea. Lee is a family name and is usually written first. Write Dear Mr. Lee or Dear Ms. Lee, or use the full name if you cannot tell which title fits.
- United States. Lee is used both ways: about 693,023 people had it as a surname in the 2010 census, and 162,528 babies born between 1950 and 2017 were given it as a first name. Look at where it sits in the name and how the person signs.
- United Kingdom. Lee is used both ways: 31% of people from the United Kingdom with this name in our data carry it as a family name. Look at where it sits in the name and how the person signs.
- Canada. Lee is used both ways: 57% of people from Canada with this name in our data carry it as a family name. Look at where it sits in the name and how the person signs.
Not sure which part of a full name is which? Check the full name with the country where the person is based.
Lee by country
People recorded in Wikidata who carry Lee as a family name or as a given name, by country of citizenship (9,548 in total).
| Country | As family name | As given name | Family name share |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 5,050 | 8 | 100% |
| United States | 1,057 | 1,778 | 37% |
| United Kingdom | 201 | 451 | 31% |
| Canada | 144 | 109 | 57% |
| Australia | 84 | 81 | 51% |
| New Zealand | 32 | 46 | 41% |
| North Korea | 54 | 0 | 100% |
| Malaysia | 44 | 5 | 90% |
| China | 44 | 0 | 100% |
| Taiwan | 41 | 0 | 100% |
Wikidata covers notable people, so counts show how the name is used, not how many people carry it.
Lee in the United States
- As a surname: about 693,023 people in the 2010 census, rank 21 among US surnames.
- As a first name: 162,528 babies born between 1950 and 2017, 24% of them girls.
Lee as a given name: men or women?
About 18% of people with Lee as a given name in Wikidata are women, and 24% of US babies given the name. This describes the name, not any one person: it is not a safe basis for Mr. or Ms., and the full name without a title is always polite.
More on this naming tradition: How Korean names work.
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