Lei Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: LAY /leɪ/
Origin: Chinese; Hawaiian
Meaning: Chinese: 'flower'; Hawaiian: 'heaven'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Lei has its roots in multiple languages, primarily deriving from Chinese, where it can mean "thunder" (雷) or "flower" (蕾), depending on the characters used. In the context of Chinese linguistics, the character 雷 (Léi) is associated with natural phenomena, while 蕾 (Lěi) refers to the bud of a flower, symbolizing potential and beauty.
The name has also been adopted in various forms across different cultures, including Japanese, where it can be used as a feminine name with similar meanings related to nature and beauty. The journey of the name into English-speaking contexts likely occurred through cultural exchanges and the increasing interest in Eastern languages and cultures, particularly in the 20th century.
Historically, the name Lei has been associated with various figures in Chinese literature and folklore. For instance, Lei Gong (雷公), the God of Thunder in Chinese mythology, is a significant figure, often depicted as a powerful deity wielding thunderbolts.
This association with strength and natural forces has contributed to the name's cultural resonance within Chinese communities. Additionally, the name has appeared in various literary works and translations, reflecting the rich tapestry of Chinese storytelling and its impact on global literature.
Culturally, the name Lei embodies themes of nature, strength, and beauty, making it a name that resonates deeply within the contexts of Chinese tradition and symbolism. The use of the name in various artistic expressions, such as poetry and visual arts, further underscores its significance.
The name's association with natural elements, particularly in the context of flowers and thunder, lends it a duality that appeals to both feminine grace and powerful forces. This duality has allowed the name to endure through centuries, maintaining its relevance and charm across different cultures.
Famous people named Lei
In this section, you will find notable people named Lei. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Lei who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Lei who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Lei Jun is an entrepreneur best known for founding Xiaomi, leading the company as CEO, and promoting affordable technology.
Lei Wang is a scientist best known for his research in materials science and nanotechnology.
Lei Zhang is a business executive best known for his role as the CEO of the investment firm Hillhouse Capital Group.
Lei Feng is a soldier best known for being a cultural icon in China, representing selflessness and dedication.
Fictional characters named Lei
The following list of fictional characters named Lei is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Lei is a fictional character from the video game series Street Fighter. She is a skilled martial artist known for her acrobatic fighting style and her role as a member of the Chinese police force.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Lei, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Lei. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Lei was first seen in the United States in 1937.
Lei has ranked as high as #1121 nationally, which occurred in 1960, and has been most popular in Hawaii, and California.
In the past 5 years the name Lei has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Lei is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Lei was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Lei (1980)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| HI | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Lei.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2005 | 11 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2000 | 10 |
| 1999 | 7 |
| 1995 | 9 |
| 1994 | 5 |
| 1993 | 5 |
| 1991 | 6 |
| 1990 | 11 |
| 1989 | 5 |
| 1988 | 7 |
| 1985 | 6 |
| 1984 | 5 |
| 1983 | 9 |
| 1982 | 10 |
| 1981 | 6 |
| 1980 | 10 |
| 1979 | 12 |
| 1978 | 10 |
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1976 | 9 |
| 1974 | 9 |
| 1973 | 9 |
| 1972 | 7 |
| 1971 | 14 |
| 1970 | 12 |
| 1969 | 19 |
| 1968 | 14 |
| 1967 | 10 |
| 1966 | 10 |
| 1965 | 12 |
| 1964 | 16 |
| 1963 | 16 |
| 1962 | 25 |
| 1961 | 13 |
| 1960 | 25 |
| 1959 | 18 |
| 1958 | 19 |
| 1957 | 16 |
| 1956 | 23 |
| 1955 | 13 |
| 1954 | 12 |
| 1953 | 8 |
| 1952 | 7 |
| 1950 | 8 |
| 1949 | 8 |
| 1948 | 6 |
| 1947 | 6 |
| 1946 | 5 |
| 1945 | 9 |
| 1943 | 6 |
| 1941 | 8 |
| 1940 | 6 |
| 1939 | 12 |
| 1938 | 8 |
| 1937 | 7 |