The first name Li
A unisex name.
1 syllable Unisex Also a surname
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
Li last appeared in the official list in 2017, given to 3 boys. It peaked in 2007, with 11 births (#2,085).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Li with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Li at birth, 1880–2025
In 2023, 6 boys born in the United States were named Li, the 11,691st most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2001, when 15 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Famous people named Li
17 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Gong LiChinese-Singaporean actress, born 1965
- Li AnderssonFinnish politician, born 1987
- Li Jun LiAmerican actress, born 1983
- Guo LiChinese synchronized swimmer, born 1993
- Zhang LiChinese table tennis player, 1951–2019
- Yin LiChinese politician, born 1962
- Li ChevalierFrench artist, born 1961
- Yi LiChinese basketball player (born 1987)
- Wang LiChinese linguist (1900–1986)
- Ye LiChinese basketball player (born 1981)
- Gong LiChinese karateka, born 1999
- Mei Li VosDutch politician, trade unionist and editorialist, born 1970
Questions
- How popular is the name Li?
- In 2017, 3 boys born in England and Wales were named Li, ranking 4,812th. Its peak was 2007, with 11 births.
- Is Li a boy's or a girl's name?
- Both. Of the 382 US babies named Li since 1880, 65% were girls and 35% boys.
- When was Li most popular?
- 2001 in the United States, when 15 babies were named Li, its highest rank at 5,048th.
- Is Li also a surname?
- Yes. Li is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.