Li: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among girls

Babies in 2025

named Li

How common

–

girls born in 2025

Peak year

2001

23 babies

All-time total

382

#16,152 all-time among girls

First recorded

1952

in Social Security records

Li popularity over time

382 babies have been named Li since 1952, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

GirlsBoys

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1950s	5	–	5	1	–	#6,036
1960s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1970s	8	10	18	2	–	#7,700
1980s	82	–	82	8	+356%	#5,027
1990s	79	11	90	9	+10%	#7,315
2000s	76	72	148	15	+64%	#8,065
2010s	–	27	27	3	-82%	–
2020s (to 2025)	–	12	12	2	-26%	–

The story of Li

Li is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1952, 382 American babies have been named Li, about 65% girls and 35% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2001, when 23 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2000s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Li stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Li?

The median living Li is about 26 years old; half are between 20 and 36. An estimated 400 people named Li are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Li year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–	–	–
2024	–	–	–	–
2023	–	–	6	#11,691
2022	–	–	–	–
2021	–	–	6	#11,587
2020	–	–	–	–
2019	–	–	–	–
2018	–	–	–	–
2017	–	–	7	#10,351
2016	–	–	–	–
2015	–	–	5	#13,259
2014	–	–	7	#10,298
2013	–	–	–	–
2012	–	–	–	–
2011	–	–	–	–
2010	–	–	8	#9,337
2009	6	#16,387	7	#10,561
2008	–	–	–	–
2007	8	#13,388	10	#7,948
2006	6	#16,284	7	#10,220
2005	9	#11,445	7	#9,730
2004	14	#8,065	–	–
2003	9	#10,933	10	#7,041
2002	8	#11,725	6	#10,157
2001	8	#11,596	15	#5,048
2000	8	#11,352	10	#6,636
1995	11	#7,841	6	#8,447
1990	8	#9,787	5	#8,958
1985	5	#11,674	–	–
1980	10	#6,568	–	–
1975	–	–	–	–
1970	–	–	–	–
1965	–	–	–	–
1960	–	–	–	–
1955	–	–	–	–
1950	–	–	–	–
1945	–	–	–	–
1940	–	–	–	–
1935	–	–	–	–
1930	–	–	–	–
1925	–	–	–	–
1920	–	–	–	–
1915	–	–	–	–
1910	–	–	–	–
1905	–	–	–	–
1900	–	–	–	–
1895	–	–	–	–
1890	–	–	–	–
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Famous people named Li

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Li Ka-shing Hong Kong entrepreneur (born 1928) Contemporary
2 Li Bingbing Chinese actress (born 1973) Contemporary
3 Li Keqiang Premier of China from 2013 to 2023 b. 1955 · Contemporary
4 Li Ching-Yuen Chinese herbalist (died 1933) 1677–1933 · 17th century
5 Li Hongzhi Chinese religious leader and dissident (born 1951 or 1952) Contemporary
6 Li Bai Chinese poet (701–762) Medieval
7 Li Hongzhang Chinese statesman and general (1823–1901) 19th century
8 Li Peng Premier of China from 1987 to 1998 1928–2019 · Contemporary
9 Li Zongren Chinese warlord, politician, and general (1890–1969) 19th century
10 Li Xiannian President of China from 1983 to 1988 1909–1992 · Contemporary
11 Li Zicheng Chinese rebel leader (1606–1645) 17th century
12 Li Yuanhong Fourth President of the Republic of China 1864–1928 · 19th century
13 Li Wenliang Chinese ophthalmologist (1985–2020) 1986–2020 · Contemporary
14 Li Si Qin dynasty politician (c. 280 – 208 BC) -280–-208 · Antiquity
15 Li Dazhao Chinese intellectual and revolutionary (1889–1927) 19th century
16 Li Yuanchao Vice President of China from 2013 to 2018 b. 1950 · Contemporary
17 Li Qingzhao Chinese Song Dynasty poet 1084–1155 · Medieval
18 Li Zhanshu Chinese politician (born 1951) b. 1950 · Contemporary
19 Li Yu Chinese ruler of Southern Tang from 961 to 976 937–978 · Medieval
20 Li Shizhen Chinese physician and pharmacologist (1517–1593) 16th century

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Li, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Li?

The median living Li is about 26 years old. Half of all living Lis are between 20 and 36 years old.

How many people named Li are alive today?

An estimated 400 people named Li are alive in the United States, based on 382 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Li in 2025?

Li did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Li?

382 babies have been named Li in the United States since 1952, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Li most popular?

Li peaked in 2001, when 23 newborns received the name.

Is Li a boy or girl name?

Li is used for both: about 65% of babies named Li have been girls and 35% boys.

Is the name Li rising or falling?

Li has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Who are famous people named Li?

Well-known people named Li include Li Ka-shing (businessperson), Li Bingbing (actor), Li Keqiang (politician).

Names like Li

Names that sound and feel close to Li: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Li with similar names → More names starting with L →