At a glance
- U.S. rank 2025 (boys)
- Not in the 2025 data · last seen 2001 (#7,536)
- Babies in 2001 (boys)
- 8 (<0.01% of boys)
- As a girl name
- Last recorded 1997 (#13,724)Peak #4,963 in 1981
- Peak (boys)
- #2,801 in 1922
- First recorded
- 1920 (as a boy name; 1978 as a girl name)
Meaning of Chee
Chee, pronounced CHEE, is a unisex spark that leaps off the tongue like a mariposa taking flight. Rooted in Chinese heritage—where it channels the vibrant energy of “qi” or the gentle rise of dawn—it also carries a warm Latin flair, as though salsa rhythms pulse beneath its single syllable. This name has pirouetted subtly through U.S. baby-name charts from the late eighties into the nineties, surfacing just enough to feel like a hidden gem rather than a megastar anthem. Chee brings playful mischief and soulful depth in equal measure, inviting creativity, joy, and a dash of daring. For parents seeking a moniker that’s worldly, singular, and undeniably bright, Chee is the fiesta-ready choice.
How to pronounce Chee
English
- Pronounced chee /tʃi/
Popularity of Chee in the U.S.
Chee was last recorded in the U.S. in 2001, ranked #7,536 with 8 babies. It peaked at #2,801 in 1922. It first appears in the records in 1920. As a girl name it was last recorded in 1997, at #13,724.
- Rank among U.S. boy names (right scale, #1 at the top)
Boys year by year, 1920–2001 36 rows
| Year | Babies | Rank | vs previous year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 8 | 7,536 | back (not recorded in 2000) |
| 1999 | 9 | 6,530 | ▼ 216 |
| 1998 | 9 | 6,314 | ▼ 214 |
| 1997 | 9 | 6,100 | ▼ 1,222 |
| 1996 | 12 | 4,878 | ▼ 826 |
| 1995 | 15 | 4,052 | ▼ 726 |
| 1994 | 20 | 3,326 | ▲ 175 |
| 1993 | 18 | 3,501 | ▲ 1,735 |
| 1992 | 10 | 5,236 | ▼ 2,321 |
| 1991 | 22 | 2,915 | ▲ 1,056 |
| 1990 | 14 | 3,971 | ▲ 300 |
| 1989 | 12 | 4,271 | ▼ 109 |
| 1988 | 11 | 4,162 | ▲ 411 |
| 1987 | 9 | 4,573 | back (not recorded in 1986) |
| 1985 | 7 | 5,147 | ▼ 2,040 |
| 1984 | 14 | 3,107 | ▲ 1,392 |
| 1983 | 8 | 4,499 | ▼ 265 |
| 1982 | 9 | 4,234 | ▲ 2,028 |
| 1981 | 5 | 6,262 | back (not recorded in 1979–1980) |
| 1978 | 5 | 5,773 | back (not recorded in 1975–1977) |
| 1974 | 5 | 5,228 | back (not recorded in 1968–1973) |
| 1967 | 5 | 3,966 | back (not recorded in 1945–1966) |
| 1944 | 5 | 3,430 | back (not recorded in 1942–1943) |
| 1941 | 6 | 3,133 | back (not recorded in 1938–1940) |
| 1937 | 5 | 3,518 | ▲ 31 |
| 1936 | 5 | 3,549 | back (not recorded in 1934–1935) |
| 1933 | 7 | 3,004 | ▲ 357 |
| 1932 | 6 | 3,361 | ▼ 497 |
| 1931 | 8 | 2,864 | back (not recorded in 1930) |
| 1929 | 6 | 3,559 | back (not recorded in 1926–1928) |
| 1925 | 5 | 4,197 | ▲ 150 |
| 1924 | 5 | 4,347 | ▼ 525 |
| 1923 | 6 | 3,822 | ▼ 1,021 |
| 1922 | 10 | 2,801 | ▲ 185 |
| 1921 | 9 | 2,986 | ▲ 829 |
| 1920 | 6 | 3,815 | new |
Girls year by year, 1978–1997 19 rows
| Year | Babies | Rank | vs previous year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 5 | 13,724 | ▼ 4,143 |
| 1996 | 8 | 9,581 | ▼ 28 |
| 1995 | 8 | 9,553 | ▲ 3,877 |
| 1994 | 5 | 13,430 | ▼ 8,224 |
| 1993 | 18 | 5,206 | ▼ 155 |
| 1992 | 19 | 5,051 | ▲ 1,202 |
| 1991 | 14 | 6,253 | ▼ 1,193 |
| 1990 | 18 | 5,060 | ▼ 11 |
| 1989 | 17 | 5,049 | ▲ 3,342 |
| 1988 | 8 | 8,391 | ▼ 2,056 |
| 1987 | 11 | 6,335 | ▼ 876 |
| 1986 | 13 | 5,459 | back (not recorded in 1985) |
| 1984 | 9 | 6,810 | ▲ 1,237 |
| 1983 | 7 | 8,047 | ▼ 578 |
| 1982 | 8 | 7,469 | ▼ 2,506 |
| 1981 | 14 | 4,963 | ▲ 1,826 |
| 1980 | 9 | 6,789 | ▼ 93 |
| 1979 | 9 | 6,696 | ▼ 311 |
| 1978 | 9 | 6,385 | new |
Notable people named Chee
- Chee Soon Juan is a Singaporean politician and activist who has led the Singapore Democratic Party since 1993.
- Chee Swee Cheng was a leading Peranakan businessman and banker in Singapore and North Borneo.