20 Cute Girl Names Starting with Lee

Andrew Kreeger

2 years ago

The standalone unisex name Lee was in the top 500 most popular baby names for girls until 1982 when it really started falling out of fashion. While Lee is not nearly as popular as it once was girl names starting with Lee and having another component attached to them have done much better in recent years. To keep Lee in the family, parents also used Lee as a middle name but that too slowed by the 1990s. We have no clue why these chill name has been largely overlooked by parents in recent years!

After all, the name Lee checks a lot of boxes of what parents are looking for in baby names today. It’s a gender-neutral option and unisex appellations are red-hot names today. Further, the name, which is of English origin, has a meaning that nods to nature. It means “pasture” and “meadow.” With parents hunting for subtle nature names today, it’s a wonder that Lee has not stood out for its mellow, pastoral meaning. We wanted to discover all the possible girl names starting with Lee to keep this handsome classic in rotation for baby girls born today. Take a look at our inspired finds!

Leea

A variation of the Hebrew name, Leah, Leea feels like a fresh, updated spelling for the appellation. Leah comes from the Hebrew word le’ah, meaning “weary.” In the Old Testament, Leah was the first wife of Jacob, the mother of one daughter, Dinah, and six sons including Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah. She is one of the Bible’s most important matriarchs. The Leah spelling is a top 50 name today so Leea could offer some variety.

Leeann

While you could do Lee Ann, you can totally skip the space and go with Leeann instead. The name is a compound combination of Lee and Ann. You already know Lee means “meadow” and “pasture.” Ann is an English name from Hebrew that means “grace.” So, you could take the name to mean “graceful meadow.” Not bad!

Leeba

You will scarcely see the name Leeba outside of Jewish families but this Yiddish and Hebrew name could be a beautiful option for your baby girl. It’s actually one of our favorite girl names starting with Lee. You will also see this name spelled Liba but we like the Leeba spelling because it takes away the pronunciation guesswork. The root of this name gives the meaning “beloved.”

Leece

Leece is a German name and form of Alice. The meaning of this breezy name is “noble.” While Alice has been a top 500 name in the US since records begin, Leece has somehow evaded new parents’ radars. We love the casual appeal of this one and could see it becoming a cute alternative for Lisa as well as Alice, of course. It’s likely one of the girl names starting with Lee that you’ve never encountered!

Leeda

Leeda is a multi-cultural name that can be found in a variety of naming traditions including Greek, Swahili, Arabic, and Iranian/Persian. That means that there are a few possible meanings for this gorgeous name for girls. It can be taken to mean “happy,” “to bring” or “bringer woman,” “night,” and “swan.” We’re not mad about any one of those possible meanings!

Leehi

Leehi is a very handsome Hebrew name for girls and one of the girl names starting with Lee that you do not hear very often. The Hebrew root of this name means “she who is mine.” The appellation has never been a popular choice in the US but you can help change that!

Leelah

Leelah is an alternative form of the Arabic name Leia. The name means “night.” The Leia spelling is extremely popular today and Leelah would offer some variety. In fact, the name is trending on many baby name resource sites like Nameberry and BabyNames.com.

Leelamayee

Leelamayee is one of the longest girl names starting with Lee. Despite its length, the name really does roll right off the tongue. The name is most popular among Indian families and is of Sanskrit origin. The appellation means “one who plays.” We find this name to be endlessly appealing but we understand that it’s not going to be for everyone.

Leelavati

Leelavati is sometimes found spelled Leelavathi and Lilavati. Leelavati is another Indian name of Hindu/Sanskrit origin. The name means “playful” and “goddess Durga.” In Hinduism, the goddess Durga, also known as Shakti or Devi, is the protective mother of the universe. She is one of the faith’s most popular deities, a protector of all that is good and harmonious in the world.

Leelo

How cute does the name Leelo sound? It’s a remarkable option that hails from Estonia. The root of the name means “folk song.” As you might expect, not too many Estonian names rank in the US top 1000 so this option has never been a popular one in the US. We think it has so much potential!

Leelou

Leelou can be considered a combination of the names Lee and Lou. Lou is considered a short form of Louise, a French and German name meaning “renowned warrior.” It can also be considered an alternative spelling of the French name Lilou which means “lily.”

Leen

Leen, a relative of Layan, is one of the most popular girls’ names in the Arab world. This amazing appellation means “tender.” The name has ranked in the top 1000 names in England but has yet to fully land in the US yet. We think it’s only a matter of time! This simple yet tasteful name just sounds right.

Leenata

Leenata is a charmer of Indian/Hindi origin that means “humility.” It’s the perfect alternative to the Latin name Renata. It sounds both familiar and exotic while also maintaining its own level of cuteness. Just think of all the cute nicknames you could make of this name: Lee, Nata, Na, Ta, and Leen could all work!

Leeona

Leeona is a form of the Latin name Leona. Leeona has never ranked in the US top 1000 but the Leona spelling was very popular at the end of the 19th century and the start of the 20th. The name is on the rise again these days but do not expect to see the Leeona spelling often.

Leesa

Leesa is a variant of Liza or Lisa, which both are derived from the Hebrew name, Elizabeth. Each variant shares the same meaning, “pledged to God.” The Leesa spelling was actually once a popular choice for baby girls. The name peaked in the 1950s and 1960s but we’d love to see it return to favor.

Leeya

Leeya can be seen as an Italian form of Leah or an alternative spelling of Lia. The name’s Hebrew root means “weary” (the same as Leea). There is also a possibility that this name is of Indian origin and it means “to take.” The Leeya spelling has never been popular in the US but the Lia spelling has and it’s steadily been on the rise since 1998. That means there’s definitely space for the Leeya form.

Leeza

Leeza might seem like a newer form of Lisa or Liza but it’s actually unrelated to those names. It is a form of Aleeza, a Hebrew name meaning “joy.” Leeza Kim Gibbons is an American television personality with this distinct appellation. Despite being a completely accessible option, the name has never been a popular one in the US. We think that’s a shame because it is one of the best girl names starting with Lee!

Leela

While Leela may be a spelling variation of Lila or Leila, it’s also an Indian name in its own right with a joyful meaning. Leela’s Sanskrit root means “play.” Not bad, right? This appellation is completely accessible and would be a welcome addition to any playground or classroom.

Leelee

How about a name that is twice as nice? You get a double hit of Lee with the adorable name Leelee. The name originated as a short form of the French name Liliane. Further, this name has the appealing flower meaning of “lily.” While this name is pretty common as a nickname in France it has yet to land in the US top 1000. That’s an opportunity for you to give your daughter a really singular name (by being doubled).

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Leena

Leena is the Finnish and Estonian diminutive of names ending in -leena or -lena. It’s the Finnish and Estonian answer to Lena. Leena gets rid of any possible pronunciation mistakes. This cheerful option means “bright” and “beautiful.” The name is resting just outside of the top 1000 names for girls today so expect to land in the top 1000 in the next couple of years. Outside of continental Europe, the name is also popular in the UK and Australia.

Now you know them! We hope you found these girl names starting with Lee to be as beautiful and cute as we do. There are not a ton of names in this category but the ones that are out there are just magnificent. If you liked these names but are looking for next steps, check out our comprehensive list of single-syllable girl names that are similar to Lee.

Check Out These Amazing One Syllable Girl Names

Classic One Syllable Girl Names

Classic one syllable girl names are classic for a reason. They’re short and sweet and get right to the point! Let’s look at some beloved names.

Anne – French form of a Hebrew name, meaning “grace”
Bea – A diminutive form of a name from Latin, meaning “bringer of happiness”
Belle – A name of French origin, meaning “beauty”
Blair – A name of Scottish origin, meaning “from the plain”
Claire – A name of French origin, meaning “clear”
Dawn – An English name, meaning “morning light”
Joy – An English word name, meaning “happiness”
Faith – An English virtue name
Lane – An English name, meaning “small path”
May – A diminutive form of Mary or a month name

More Classic One Syllable Girl Names

Let’s take a look at even more one syllable girl names you likely know and love!

Brynn – Also spelled Bryn, from Welsh, meaning “hill”
Brie – A habitational French name, from the town that produces delicious cheese
Jane – An English name, meaning “God is gracious”
Grace – An English virtue name, meaning “God’s grace”
Hope – Another English virtue name, meaning “optimism”
Liv – A Norse name, meaning “life”
Mae – A diminutive form of Mary or Margaret, meaning “bitter” and/or “pearl”
Rae – An English diminutive form of Rachel, meaning “ewe”
Tess – An English diminutive form of Theresa, meaning “to harvest”
Kay – A shortened form of Katherine, meaning “pure”

Even More Popular One Syllable Girl Names

Let’s keep things rolling with even more popular one syllable girl names. These are some of America’s most beloved names.

Paige – An English occupational name, meaning “page boy”
Pearl – A Latin gem name that means exactly what you think it does
Rose – A name from Latin, meaning “rose” or “a flower”
Sam – A diminutive form of Samantha, from Hebrew, meaning “told by God”
Shea – A storied Irish name, meaning “dauntless one”
Kate – A diminutive form of Kathryn, meaning “pure”
Joan – An English form of a Hebrew name, meaning “God is gracious”
Kim – A diminutive form of Kimberly, an English surname, meaning “Cyneburga’s meadow”
Val – A short form of Valerie or Valentina, meaning “battle hero” or “strength”
Jess – A diminutive form of Jessica, meaning “wealthy”

Fresh One Syllable Girl Names

Moving right along, let’s pivot to the fresher side of things. There are plenty of new one syllable girl names that are starting to really make some waves. Here are some of the trendiest appellations!

Bliss – An English word name, meaning “happiness”
Blue – An English color name
Dream – One dreamy appellation
Gray – An English surname and color name
Kai – A unisex name of Hawaiian origin, meaning “sea”
Lex – A diminutive for of Alexander, meaning “defender”
Peace – A virtue name, meaning “peace”
Gem – An Italian name from Gemma, meaning “precious stone”
Praise – An English word name
Charm – An English name, meaning “lucky token”

More Trendy One Syllable Girl Names

We’ve got even more trendy one syllable names for girls to share with you! Check them out:

Rogue – A new possibility, meaning “villain”
Scout – A word name taken from literature (To Kill a Mockingbird), meaning “one who listens”
Skye – An evocative Scottish place name
Star – An English word name with a lot of symbolic resonance
Teal – An English word referring to the color
Luz – A name of Spanish origin, meaning “light”
Lux – A name from Latin, also meaning “light”
Jem – An Italian name, meaning “gem”
Pink – An English color name
New – A fresh English word name

Biblical One Syllable Word Names

Surprisingly, there aren’t very many one syllable girl names mentioned in the Bible. Here’s what we discovered:

Eve – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “life”
Ruth – A name from Hebrew, meaning “compassionate friend”
Eve – A name of Hebrew origin, meaning “life”
Beth – A diminutive form of Elizabeth, from Hebrew, meaning “pledged to God”
Tal – A Hebrew name, meaning “dew of God”
Jez – A diminutive form of Jezebel, meaning “not exalted”
Kez – A Hebrew name, meaning “cassia tree”

Vintage One Syllable Girl Names That Should Come Back

Some names just need to be dusted off and put to good use. Let’s take a look at some antique names that should make a comeback!

Joyce – A name from Latin, meaning “merry”
Pat – A diminutive form of Patricia, meaning “noble”
Dee – A diminutive form of Diana, meaning “divine”
Merle – A French name, meaning “blackbird”
Bess – A diminutive of Elizabeth, meaning “pledged to God”
Dot – A diminutive form of Dorothy, meaning “God’s gift”
Jeanne – A French variation of Jean, meaning “God is gracious”
Prue – A diminutive form of Prudence, meaning “caution”
Greer – A Scottish name, meaning “watchful”
Coe – An English name, meaning “jackdaw”

More Vintage One Syllable Girl Names That Deserve a Renaissance

Let’s take a look at some other vintage names that time hasn’t been so kind to but new parents should!

Peg – A diminutive form of Margaret, meaning “pearl”
Jan – A feminine form of John, meaning “God is gracious”
Blythe – From English, meaning “carefree”
Mel – From Greek, meaning “smooth” or “dark”
Fran – A diminutive form of Frances, meaning “free man”
Dale – An early unisex name inspired by nature, Dale has sadly been neglected for girls, meaning “valley”
Jill – A diminutive form of Juliana, meaning “youthful”
Mab – An Irish name, meaning “baby”
France – A place name
Dea – A Latin name, meaning “goddess”

One Syllable Girl Names Borrowed from Boys

“Boy names” for girls are such a hot trend right now. Let’s take a look at some great names that have gone to boys exclusively in. recent years that should be gender-neutral instead!

Blake – A name from English meaning “dark” and “fair”
Shane – A name from Hebrew, meaning “God is gracious”
Jude – A gender-neutral name that has gone to boys more often, Jude means “praised”
Chance – A French name, meaning “chief”
Will – A diminutive form of William, meaning “resolute protector”
Beck – A short form of Rebecca or an English name, meaning “from the small stream”
Dell – A short form of Odell, meaning “of the valley”
Rex – A name from Latin, meaning “king”
Kyle – A name from Scottish, meaning “narrow strip of land”
Reed – An English name, meaning “red hair”
Finn – A name from Irish, meaning “fair”
Chase – A name from French, meaning “to hunt”
Tate – A name from Norse, meaning “cheerful”

One Syllable Girl Names Inspired by Nature

Nature provides so much great inspiration for a baby’s name. As you’ve already seen on this list, there are many, many names with natural meanings to cherish. Here are some more!

Bay – A body of water or a Latin word, meaning “berry”
Ash – An English name, meaning “from the ash trees”
Birch – An English habitational name, meaning “from the birch trees”
Brooke – Another English habitational name, meaning “from the brook”
Dove – An animal name, meaning “a bird”
Fawn – Another animal name, meaning “young deer”
Fern – An English habitational name, meaning “from the ferns”
Breeze – A windy nature name
Chloe – A Greek name, meaning “young green shoot”
Earth – A name from English that means exactly what you think it does

More Nature One Syllable Girl Names

Let’s keep it going with appellations inspired by our beautiful, natural world.

Fleur – A French name and the word for “flower”
Fox – An English name and animal, meaning “fox”
Jade – A precious stone name, Jade comes from Spanish and means “stone of the side”
June – A name from Latin, from Juno, meaning “month of June”
Lake – A natural word name that means exactly what you think
Lark – An English name, meaning “a bird”
Leaf – A word name that celebrates all that grows
Fig – A delightfully fruity name
Quince – A fruit name from Latin
Firth – A Scottish nature name, meaning “arm of the sea”

Even More Fresh Nature Names to Get Excited About

There are so many wonderful one syllable girl names inspired by nature. Here are more of our favorites!

Lynx – An animal name, meaning “a cat”
Noon – A time of day, perfect for a baby born midday
Park – An English and French occupational name for a “park keeper”
Shell – A nature name, meaning “a seashell”
Rain – Another word name
Reef – Another word name, referring to a “coral reef”
Rue – A botanical name, meaning “regret” in Latin or “path” in French
Fjord – A name from Old Norse, meaning “passage in the sea”
Glen – A Scottish name, meaning “narrow valley”
Grove – A nature name that means “orchard”

Rounding Up Nature One Syllable Names for Girls

These are the last of the nature names for girls, we promise! Enjoy even more botanical goodness below.

March – A great month name, perfect for fans of Little Women
Sage – A name of Latin origin, meaning “wise”
Shore – Another word name, perfect for a beach baby
Sky – A different name entirely than Skye, Sky is a word name
Clove – A spice name that seems ready to take off today
Wren – An English name, meaning “a small bird”
West – A word name or a surname-name
Isle – An English name, meaning “small island”
Liu – A name from Chinese, meaning “willow tree”
Mar – A name from Latin, meaning “sea”

Multicultural One Syllable Girl Names

Now, we get to have even more fun! Let’s check out some multicultural one syllable girl names from all over the world.

Noor – From Arabic, meaning “light”
Gul – A Turkish or Persian name, meaning “rose”
Heer – From Arabic, meaning “diamond”
Neve – A Spanish name and word, meaning “snow”
Mei – A Chinese name that can mean “beautiful”
Niamh – An Irish name, meaning “bright”
Rez – A Hungarian name, meaning “copper hair”
Bao – A name of Chinese origin, meaning “precious treasure”
Cho – A name of Japanese origin, meaning “butterfly”
Minh – A name of Vietnamese origin, meaning “bright” and “clear”

More Multicultural One Syllable Girl Names

Did you learn some new names? Let’s take a look at even more names from all over the world.

Tai – A name from Chinese, that can mean “great extreme”
Zen – A Japanese word and form of Buddhism
Ume – A Japanese name, meaning “plum-blossom child” and “patient”
Sloane – An Irish name, meaning “raider”
Shan – A diminutive form of Shoshanna, from Hebrew, meaning “lily”
Paz – A Spanish or Hebrew name, meaning “peace” or “gold”
Ife – An African, Yoruba name, meaning “love”
Thuy – Of Vietnamese origin, meaning “water”
Zo – A name found in several African traditions, meaning “spirit leader”
Nur – An Arabic name, meaning “light”

Even More Multicultural Names to Try

Here’s our final round of multicultural one syllable girl names but don’t expect these to be the last! We’ll continue sharing other names from a variety of traditions as the list continues!

Eshe – A name from Swahili, meaning “life”
Eyre – A name from Norse origin, meaning “gravel riverbank”
Bo – A Norse nickname-name, meaning “to live”
Pip – A diminutive form of Philipa, from Greek, meaning “lover of horses”
Fem – A Frisian name, from Greek, meaning “well-spoken” or “peace”
Roos – A Dutch variant of Rose, from Latin, meaning “a flower”
Sol – A Spanish name, meaning “sun”
Wan – A name of Chinese origin, meaning “gentle” and “gracious”
Xun – Another name from Chinese, meaning “snow”
Kim – A Korean surname-name, meaning “gold” and “iron”

One Syllable Girl Names from Mythology

Let’s take a look at some of the world’s rich mythological histories to discover some interesting one syllable girl names that offer whimsy and plenty of intrigue.

Maeve – An Irish queen of the fairies, meaning “she who intoxicates”
Nyx – A name from Greek mythology, a goddess of night, meaning “night”
Neve – From Irish Gaelic, an Anglicized form of Niamh, referring to Niamh of the Golden Hair, meaning “bright”
Fee – A diminutive form of Fiona with a curious meaning, “fairy”
Fay – From Old English, meaning “fairy”
Hai – Meaning “fairy show” in Vietnamese
Win – From Old English, meaning “fairy”
Britt– A Swedish form of Birgit, meaning “high priestess”
Eos – A name for a Greek Titan of the dawn, meaning “nightingale”
Neith – An Egyptian name, meaning “divine mother”

‘Old Lady’ One Syllable Girl Names

These names get a bad wrap but they just need a fresh perspective to see them in a new light. These once-popular names should totally be considered by new parents.

Blanche – A name from French, meaning “white”
Gwen – A Welsh name, meaning “white circle”
Faine – An English name, meaning “joyful”
Deb – A diminutive form of Deborah, from Hebrew, meaning “bee”
Bette – A diminutive form of Elizabeth, from Hebrew, meaning “pledged to God”
Maud – A diminutive form of Matilda, meaning “battle-ready”
Sue – Sue is a diminutive form of Susan, from Hebrew, meaning “lily”
Lu – A Latinate, female form of Louis, meaning “renowned warrior”
Clyde – A Scottish river name
Doll – A word name or English variant of Dorothy, meaning “gift of God”

Rare One Syllable Girl Names

Now, let’s look at some names that parents have left under those unturned stones. These rare one syllable names are the right kind of special that you’re looking for.

Bloom – Bloom is both an established surname and a nature name, but it has never really… blossomed
Jai – The Latin form of Jay, meaning “jaybird”
Byrd – An English surname, meaning “bird”
Lind – An English habitational name, meaning “from the marshlands” or “from Lincolnshire”
Lo – A Swedish name, meaning “lynx”
Lys – An English flower name
Midge – A retro name and diminutive of Margaret, meaning “pearl”
Swayze – An English and German name, meaning “Swiss”
Skai – A name of Scandinavian origin, meaning “sky”
Penn – An English name, meaning “enclosure”

More Illusive One Syllable Girl Names

Let’s keep going with these hidden treasure names for girls. Check out even more below!

Moon – An English word name that means exactly what you think it does
Raine – A name from French, meaning “queen”
Ree – A Hebrew name, meaning “servant of God”
Chan – A Cambodian name, meaning “sweetly perfumed tree”
Spence – An English and French occupational name, meaning “steward”
Triste – A name with Latin roots that means “sorrowful” or “noise”
Nic – Also spelled Nik, a diminutive form of Nicole, meaning “victory of the people”
Pao – A Portuguese name, meaning “baker”
Mai – A Japanese name, meaning “coyote”
Dune – A beachy nature name

Even More Rare One Syllable Names for Girls

Enjoying these rare names, here are even more for you to consider.

Verve – An English name from French, meaning “vigor”
Vi – A name of Latin origin, meaning “purple”
Virge – A name of Latin origin, meaning “virgin”
Viv – Another name of Latin origin, meaning “life”
Wynn – More popular as a surname today, Wynn is of Welsh origin, meaning “pure”
Xin – A Chinese name that can mean “elegant” and “beautiful”
Yule – From English, meaning “winter solstice”
Gab – A variation of Gabriel, meaning “God is my strength”
Lyre – An occupational name for a “harp player”
Mars – A name from Roman mythology, meaning “war” and “god of war”

You Can’t Go Wrong with These One Syllable Girl Names

The next several one syllable girl names we share with you are the tried-and-true winners you came here for! These cherished one-syllable girl names are never going out of style and will serve your daughter and your family well.

Bex – More modern than Bess and more playful than Liz, Bex feels like the perfect one syllable name for girls! The name is a diminutive form of Elizabeth, meaning “pledged to God”
Rive – A name from Hebrew, meaning “maiden”
Quinn – A name of Irish origin, meaning “descendant of Conn”
Plum – A wonderful fruity name from English
Oak – A nature name worth considering, from English, meaning “a tree”
Nell – An English name, meaning “bright”
Lynn – A name from Welsh, meaning “lake”
Love – A warm word name
Swan – An English bird name
Reet – An Estonian form of Margaret, meaning “pearl”

Even More Delightful One Syllable Girl Names

Here are some more one-hit-wonders that you should consider for your baby girl on the way!

Leigh – An English name, meaning “meadow”
Ki – A name of Korean origin that can mean “arisen”
Keats – An English surname-name, meaning “kite”
Kat – A purrfect name, a diminutive form of Kathryn, meaning “pure”
Joss – A name of German and English origin, meaning “kinswoman”
Jinx – An English word name that’s as playful as they get
Jazz – An American name, meaning “music”
Sri – A name of Sanskrit origin, meaning “radiance”
Day – An optimistic and sunny word name
Kerr – A Scottish habitational name, meaning “living near wet ground”

Even More Winning One Syllable Girl Names

Here are some more excellent one syllable names that seem to work for many new parents out there.

Cher – A name of French of origin, meaning “beloved”
Drew – A diminutive form of Andrew, meaning “strong”
Char – A diminutive of Charlotte (and many others), meaning “free man”
Lou – A delightfully masculine unisex name that sounds great for girls, meaning “famed warrior”
Prim – An English name, meaning “first” like Primrose
Tor – From Old Norse, meaning “turtle dove”
Yaz – A Turkish name meaning “bliss”
Roz – A name from Latin, related to Rosalind, meaning “pretty rose”
Roux – A French name from Latin, meaning “russet” or “reddish-brown”
Brave – A courageous English word name

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Our Favorite One Syllable Girl Names

Our best of the best one syllable girl names have arrived. Let’s take a look at these sweet options that we hope will appeal to many parents today.

Max – A diminutive form of Maxine, meaning “greatest”
Jules – A unisex name, from French by way of Latin, meaning “youthful”
Teague – A Scottish name, meaning “bard” and “poet”
Reese – A name of Welsh origin, meaning “ardor”
Khole – An English form of Chloe, related to Nicholas, meaning “people of victory”
Cloud – A light breezy word name for nature lovers and dreamers
James – An English name from Hebrew, meaning “supplanter”
Bean – An English word name
Rome – A European city name that’s more distinct than Paris or London
Po – A name belonging to the longest river in Italy

There you go! Did you expect James to top this list of one syllable girl names? Well, we think it is a trend worth watching. James was a name widely given to girls in the US until the 1980s. We hope that it returns and lands on the birth certificates of many a lucky girl in coming years! These one syllable girl names all pack a punch without much fanfare. If you love punchy names with tons of character, you could do no better! Happy baby name hunting!