Find out how popular the first name Leelee has been for the last 12 years (from 2000 to 2011) and learn more about the meaning and history.
A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from French words meaning "the lily".
Based on the last 12 years of data, Leelee is exclusively a female name.
For the most recent data in 2011, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Leelee.
Year | Male Count | Female Count |
---|---|---|
2011 | 0 | 5 |
2005 | 0 | 5 |
2004 | 0 | 5 |
2002 | 0 | 5 |
2000 | 0 | 5 |
The name Leelee is thought to have originated from the French word "lili", which itself is derived from the Latin word "lilium" meaning "lily". The name Leelee is a double diminutive form of the French name Lili, and is believed to have first appeared in the 19th century.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Leelee can be found in the 1897 novel "The Unbearable Bassington" by H.H. Munro, where a character named Leelee is mentioned. However, the name remained relatively uncommon until the late 20th century.
In 1992, the American actress Leelee Sobieski was born, bringing the name into the public eye. Sobieski went on to star in several notable films, including "Deep Impact" (1998) and "Eyes Wide Shut" (1999), which likely contributed to the increasing popularity of the name.
Another notable Leelee was Leelee Kimmel, an American artist and activist who was born in 1942. Kimmel was known for her work in promoting environmental causes and advocating for the rights of indigenous peoples.
In literature, the name Leelee appeared in the 2003 novel "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold, where it is the name of one of the main characters, a young girl named Leelee Salmon.
Another historical figure with the name Leelee was Leelee Gardin, a French actress who was born in 1920 and appeared in several films during the 1940s and 1950s, including "The Lovers of Verona" (1949) and "Monsieur Ripois" (1954).
While the name Leelee has gained some popularity in recent decades, its origins and early uses can be traced back to the 19th century French word "lili" and the Latin word "lilium", reflecting its association with the lily flower.
The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.
The history and meaning of the name Leelee was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
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"Leelee first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 14, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/leelee-meaning-and-history/.
"Leelee first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/leelee-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 14 May, 2025
Leelee first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/leelee-meaning-and-history/.
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