How Common Is the Surname Lee?
The surname Lee is the #21 most common last name in the United States, with an estimated 789,148 bearers. That's about 1 in 426 Americans. This data comes from the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau surname frequency tables.
This page covers the Lee surname's frequency in the U.S. population, its rank among all American surnames, and a breakdown of ancestry and ethnicity data from the Census. You can also check how many people share any first + last name combination involving Lee.
Estimated Americans with this Surname
789,148
About 1 in 426 people in the U.S.
Census Rank
#21
Frequency Rate
234.94
per 100,000 people
Census Count
693,023
2010 Census
Data Source
2010
U.S. Census Bureau
Ancestry and Ethnicity for Lee
The Lee surname is most commonly associated with people who identify as Asian/Pacific Islander (42.22%). The next largest groups are White (35.95%) and Black (16.33%).
Self-reported race and ethnicity from the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau surname tables. Some categories may be suppressed for privacy when sample sizes are small.
How Many People Are Named ... Lee?
Pair the Lee surname with a first name to estimate how many people share that full name in the United States.
Lee Surname: Questions and Answers
How common is the last name Lee?
Lee is the #21 most common surname in the United States, with an estimated 789,148 people sharing this last name. It appears at a rate of 234.94 per 100,000 Americans.
What ethnicity is the surname Lee?
The Lee surname is most commonly associated with people who identify as Asian/Pacific Islander (42.22%). The next largest groups are White (35.95%) and Black (16.33%). This data comes from the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau surname tables, which include self-reported race and ethnicity breakdowns.
How many people named [First Name] Lee are there?
We can estimate any first + last name combination. Popular examples: Michael Lee, James Lee, John Lee. Search any combination on our homepage.
Where does this surname data come from?
Surname frequency data comes from the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau decennial surname tables. These list every surname appearing in the Census along with frequency rates and demographic breakdowns. Full methodology.
Search for a full name combination
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