Total births
250
Unisex name · since 1952
Li
Since 1952, U.S. Social Security records show 250 babies named Li, peaking in 1983. See the year-by-year trend, decade totals, and state rankings below, sourced from federal birth data.
- 250
- total births
- 1952–2009
- years on record
- 1980s
- peak decade
- 33%
- born in that decade
Li is not among the current top-ranked girls names; 250 have been recorded since 1952.
Social Security Administration records show Li recorded 250 times among girls since 1952, though it doesn't currently rank among the most-used girls names, peaking in the 1980s. This profile derives year-by-year birth trends, decade totals, and state-level distribution directly from SSA birth-registration files spanning 1952 to 2009.
- 250 total births
- 1952–2009 years on record
- 1980s peak decade
- 33% born in that decade
Data updated Jul 2026
The verdict
250 girls have been named Li since 1952, peaking in the 1980s, last recorded in 2009.
- 250
- total births
- 1952–2009
- years on record
- 1980s
- peak decade
- 33%
- born in that decade
1980s
Peak decade
33% of everyone ever named Li was born in this single decade.
1983
Single peak year
14 babies were named Li in 1983 - its busiest year on record.
Li's usage pattern, beyond the headline number
Divide Li's SSA record in two at 1994 and the more recent half accounts for 50% of all births, the earlier half the remaining 50%, a genuinely balanced usage pattern. Its calmest year was 1952, with only 5 births recorded -- set against the 1983 peak of 14, that's the full swing in one name's fortunes.
Li at a glance
Last recorded 2009Peak year
1983
Current rank
Unranked
Active since
1952
Li popularity over time - girls
Annual U.S. births registered with the Social Security Administration · 1952–2009
- Peak year (1983)
- 14
- Annual births at peak, across 58 years of records
Li popularity over time - boys
132 total births recorded since 1976 (Li as boys' name)
Li by decade
Total births in each ten-year window, peak vs trough at a glance
1980s was Li's strongest decade.
82 babies received the name during that ten-year window, about 33% of all-time use.
Li births by decade
Total births in each ten-year window
- 1950s 5
1950s
5 births
- 1970s 8
1970s
8 births
- 1980s
1980s
82 births
- 1990s
1990s
79 births
- 2000s
2000s
76 births
What this shows Peak: 1980s at 82 births (33% of all-time use).
Li by state
Where Li concentrates geographically, total births since 1952
| Rank | State | Visual share | Births | Share of total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | New York | | 38 | 15.2% |
New York share of Li's total US births 15.2%
38 of 250 births nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How popular is the name Li? ▼
Since 1952, Social Security records show 250 babies named Li. The most recent recorded year was 2009. Its busiest year on record was 1983, with 14 births.
When was Li most popular? ▼
Li was most popular in the 1980s decade with 82 total births. The single peak year was 1983.
Where is Li most popular? ▼
The top states for the name Li are New York (38 births).
Is Li a unisex name? ▼
Yes, Li is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name it has 250 births, and as a boy's name it has 132 births.
How long has the name Li been used? ▼
The SSA has tracked Li since 1952 -- 58 years through the most recent 2009 data.
What names are similar to Li? ▼
Names with a similar sound or spelling include Linda, Lisa, Lillian, Lily, and 4 more. These share a common prefix and are also used for girls.
What to do with Li's data
- Li's usage has stayed within range of its 1980s decade-level peak (82 total births) through the 2000s (76) -- a comparatively stable name, not a fading trend.
- New York records the most Lis (38 births) -- see the full state breakdown if geography matters to your decision. New York names
- Weighing it against an alternative? Put two names side by side. Compare names
Figures reflect SSA-reported births only; see the methodology above for the privacy-suppression floor.
Keep exploring Li
Nearby Names Like Li
Names with a similar sound, spelling, or feel to Li
Linda Girl
#836 1,455,143 births
Lisa Girl
#984 967,229 births
Lillian Girl
#54 475,028 births
Lily Girl
#24 189,644 births
Lillie Girl
#682 158,918 births
Compare Li side by side: Li vs Linda Li vs Lisa Li vs Lillian
Related Names
Names with a similar number of total births
Data Sources
Data as of July 2026. Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA).
According to the Social Security Administration, this profile draws directly from the agency's public-use baby-name files (updated June 2026). See our methodology for the full extraction, aggregation, and privacy-suppression rules.
Primary: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names from Social Security Card Applications, National Data, 1952–2009 (ssa.gov/oact/babynames).
State-level: Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Baby Names, State-Level Files (namesbystate.zip).
Cite this page
NameAlmanac Editorial. "Li: Baby Name Since 1952 - 250 Births, Peak 1983." NameAlmanac. Accessed via https://namealmanac.com/name/li. Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Name Almanac is rendered directly from the Social Security Administration's public baby-name files, no number is typed in by an editor. This profile for Li draws directly on SSA national and state-level files, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.