Declining since 2012, #1,728 for boys today.
Popularity of Bentlee since 2001
Babies named Bentlee per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 96 | 38 |
| 2010s | 654 | 3,199 |
| 2020s | 187 | 965 |
Meaning & origin
Bentlee entered the U.S. baby name charts in 2007, a modern respelling of the well-established surname Bentley. Its peak year was 2012, after which its use has steadily declined. In the most recent data, the name ranked 1,728th and was given to roughly 1 in 18,171 newborn boys. The spelling with the double 'e' ending reflects a broader trend for names like Paisley and Oaklee, giving it a distinctly contemporary feel. Geographically, Bentlee has found modest popularity in states such as Kansas, Kentucky, and Ohio. While its meaning derives from Old English words for 'bent grass' and 'clearing', the name's modern usage is largely disconnected from its etymological roots, emphasizing style over history.
Bentlee is a modern spelling variant of the surname Bentley, which originated as a place name meaning 'clearing covered with bent grass' (from Old English beonet 'bent grass' + leah 'clearing, meadow'). The name Bentley has been used as a given name since the 19th century, but Bentlee emerged as a distinct spelling in the early 21st century, reflecting a trend for creative respellings ending in -ee. It first appeared in U.S. data in 2007.
Where Bentlee is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ben, Lee
Sibling names for Bentlee
Names that share Bentlee's style, for a brother or sister.
