Find out how popular the first name Li has been for the last 48 years (from 1976 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Li by gender

Based on the last 48 years of data, Li is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 65% of people named Li being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Li.

It's also interesting to see that despite Li being historically a mostly female name, the most recent data from 2023 shows a shift in the trend, with more male babies being named Li.

The history of the first name Li

Li is a Chinese given name that originated from the ancient Chinese language. The name has a rich history dating back thousands of years to the earliest recorded civilizations in China.

The character 'Li' is composed of two parts - the top part represents a spiritual being or a person, while the bottom part represents a ceremonial vessel used in ancient Chinese rituals. The name is believed to have been derived from the word 'li', which means 'ceremonial ritual' or 'propriety' in Mandarin Chinese. This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals who were well-versed in traditional Chinese rituals and customs.

The name Li can be found in numerous ancient Chinese texts and historical records, including the Classic of Poetry (Shijing), one of the oldest existing collections of Chinese poetry dating back to the 11th-7th centuries BCE. The name also appears in various religious and philosophical texts, such as the Analects of Confucius, which further underscores its deep-rooted connection with Chinese culture and tradition.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Li was Li Er, a legendary minister and strategist who lived during the Spring and Autumn period (771-476 BCE) of ancient China. He is credited with playing a crucial role in the establishment of the Qi state and is regarded as one of the most influential political figures of his time.

Throughout history, there have been numerous notable individuals with the name Li who have left an indelible mark on various fields. Li Bai (701-762 CE), one of the most celebrated poets of the Tang Dynasty, is renowned for his brilliant literary works that captured the essence of nature and human emotions.

Li Shizhen (1518-1593 CE), a renowned physician and herbalist, made significant contributions to the field of traditional Chinese medicine with his monumental work, the Compendium of Materia Medica. This encyclopedic text, which took nearly three decades to complete, remains an invaluable resource for the study of medicinal plants and their applications.

In the realm of martial arts, Li Guang (1842-1920 CE), also known as Li Cunyi, was a revered master of the Shaolin Kung Fu tradition. He played a pivotal role in preserving and propagating the ancient martial arts techniques of the Shaolin Temple.

Li Hongzhi (born 1951 CE), the founder of the spiritual practice Falun Gong, has had a significant impact on the contemporary spiritual landscape, with millions of followers worldwide embracing his teachings on cultivating mind, body, and spirit.

Data source

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 Li was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Li, please contact us.

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