Lei
Every Lei since 1937 — 683 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Lei
Lei is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #16,279 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1937, 683 American babies have been named Lei. Its peak came in 1960, when 25 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Lei stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Lei year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | #16,279 | — | — |
| 2024 | 5 | #16,649 | — | — |
| 2023 | 7 | #12,884 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | 6 | #14,397 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | 5 | #17,075 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | 5 | #17,740 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | 6 | #11,544 |
| 2014 | — | — | 5 | #13,253 |
| 2013 | 5 | #18,126 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | 5 | #13,420 |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | 6 | #16,122 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | 7 | #14,459 | — | — |
| 2005 | 11 | #9,843 | — | — |
| 2004 | 9 | #11,233 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | 11 | #9,208 | 5 | #11,757 |
| 2001 | 7 | #12,849 | — | — |
| 2000 | 10 | #9,582 | — | — |
| 1995 | 9 | #9,200 | — | — |
| 1990 | 11 | #7,631 | — | — |
| 1985 | 6 | #10,033 | — | — |
| 1980 | 10 | #6,558 | 5 | #6,841 |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | 12 | #4,638 | — | — |
| 1965 | 12 | #3,846 | — | — |
| 1960 | 25 | #2,407 | — | — |
| 1955 | 13 | #3,304 | — | — |
| 1950 | 8 | #4,154 | — | — |
| 1945 | 9 | #3,273 | — | — |
| 1940 | 6 | #4,123 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Lei
- Lei Feng Military personnel · 1940–1962
- Lei Jun Businessperson · b. 1969
- Lei Clijsters Soccer player · 1956–2009
- Lei Tingjie Chess player · b. 1997
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Lei in 2025?
Lei ranked #16,279 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Lei?
683 babies have been named Lei in the United States since 1937, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Lei most popular?
Lei peaked in 1960, when 25 newborns received the name.
Is Lei a boy or girl name?
Lei is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 95% of babies with the name.
Is the name Lei rising or falling?
Lei is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Lei?
Well-known people named Lei include Lei Feng (military personnel), Lei Jun (businessperson), Lei Clijsters (soccer player).