Li is the official Pinyin transcription of one of the most common Chinese surnames (Chinese 李, Pinyin Lǐ). Historically, the English transcription Lee of the name is also frequently found, for example in Singapore. There are several Chinese names that are pronounced Li, but written with different characters. Among them, 李 is by far the most common.
The founder of Daoism, Laozi (Lao-tse), whose clan name was Lǐ, went down in history as the first Li in the 6th century before Christ. In the Tang Dynasty (7th-9th century) Li was the surname of the imperial family. Since the relatives of the emperor were treated preferentially at all times, the name Li could spread increasingly.

In the course of China's history, other peoples were repeatedly incorporated into the Han. In an attempt to adapt to the new situation, many members chose Han Chinese names. Li was a popular name for members of other ethnic groups who wanted to choose a simple but very Chinese name. Since the surname was always inherited through the father, a large number of all Han Chinese with the surname Li are related to each other. Lee/Li is the most common surname in China. In 2008 there were 103 million people named Lee/Li.

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A selection of personalities with last names Li:

A
Ahmet Li (* 1991), Turkish table tennis player
Alina Li (* 1993), Chinese-American porn actress
Ang Li (* 1981), Chinese Go player
Ang Li (badminton) (* about 1965), Chinese badminton player
Ann Li (* 2000), US-American tennis player
Ao Li (772 - 841), Chinese Reform Confucian
Ao Li (1935 - 2018), Chinese writer, historian, and politician

B
Bai Li (701 - 762), Chinese poet
Baldwin Li, British film producer, screenwriter, cameraman and sound engineer
Blanca Li (* 1964), Spanish dancer, choreographer, actress and filmmaker
Bifeng Li (* 1965), Chinese poet
Bin Li (* 1954), Chinese politician
Bingbing Li (* 1973), Chinese actress
Binzhu Li (1921 - 2007), Chinese fighter in the resistance war against Japan
Bo Li (773 - 831), Chinese scholar
Bo Li (composer) (* 1988), Chinese composer
Boguang Li (1968 - 2018), Chinese activist and jurist (People's Republic of China)
Boyuan Li (1867 - 1906), Chinese writer and publicist
Bruce Li (* 1950), Chinese martial artist and actor
Bun-hui Li (* 1968), North Korean table tennis player
Byong-uk Li (* 1954), North Korean Boxer

C
Cecilia Li (* 1957), Taiwanese concert pianist
Changchun Li (* 1944), Chinese politician
Changqi Li (1376 - 1452), Chinese writer
Chao Li (* 1989), Chinese chess player
Chaoluang Li (1938 - 1998), Chinese botanist
Chen Li (water sprinter), Chinese water sprinter
Chen Li (actor) (* 1978), Chinese actor
Chen Li (Artist) (* 1963), Taiwanese artist
Chengjiang Li (* 1979), Chinese figure skater
Chenyin Li (* 1977), Chinese pianist
Ching Li (actress) (1948 - 2018), Chinese actress
Ching Li (table tennis player) (* 1975), table tennis player from Hong Kong
Ching-Yuen Li (? 1933), Chinese martial artist
Chin Sung Li (* 1969), Chinese sound artist, DJ, turntablist, composer, music producer and promoter, see Dickson Dee
Choh Hao Li (1913 - 1987), Chinese-US-American biochemist
Choh-Ming Li (1912 - 1991), Chinese economist and pedagogue
Chun Li (* 1988), Chinese singer
Chunfeng Li (602 - 670), Chinese mathematician, astronomer and historian
Chunhua Li (* 1954), Chinese politician and diplomat
Chunxiu Li (* 1969), Chinese walker
Cunxin Li (General) (862 - 902), Chinese General
Cunxin Li (dancer) (* 1961), Chinese-Australian dancer

D
Dan Li (pirate) (? 1625), Chinese pirate
Dan Li (sports markswoman) (* 1962), Chinese sports markswoman
Dan Li (speed skater) (* 1986), Chinese speed skater
Dan Li (gymnast) (* 1989), Chinese trampoline gymnast
Dan Li (wrestler), Chinese wrestler
Datong Li (* 1952), Chinese journalist
Dawei Li (* 1963), Chinese writer
Dazhao Li (1889 - 1927), Chinese politician
Otto Braun Li (1900 - 1974), German writer
Delin Li (531 - 591), political advisor to Emperor Sui Wendi
Depeng Li (* 1965), Chinese tennis player
Desheng Li, a pseudonym of Mao Zedong (1893 - 1976), Chinese politician (CCP)
Desheng Li (Politician) (1916 - 2011), Chinese politician (CCP)
Desheng Li (geologist) (* 1922), Chinese geologist and politician (CCP)
Don Li (* 1971), Swiss composer and jazz musician
Donald Li (* 1961), Chinese actor
Donghua Li (* 1967), Swiss gymnast
Dongsheng Li (* 1957), Chinese entrepreneur
Dong-woon Li (* 1945), North Korean footballer
Duan Li (* 1978), Chinese athlete

F
Fang Li (* 1956), Chinese badminton player
Fang Li (tennis player) (* 1973), Chinese tennis player
Fangyin Li, Chinese Oriental Archaeologist
Fei Li (* 1989), Chinese overlord and general, mistress of the Nikorians
Fen Li (* 1976), Swedish table tennis player
Feng Li (* 1969), New Zealand badminton player of Chinese origin
Fengbao Li (1834 - 1887), Chinese diplomat
Fengying Li (* 1975), Taiwanese weightlifter
Frederick P. Li (1940 - 2015), Chinese-US-American physician
Furong Li (* 1942), Chinese table tennis player
Fuyu Li (* 1978), Chinese racing cyclist

G
Gen Li (* 1992), Chinese badminton player
Gwang-sik Li (* 1970), North Korean Boxer
Gyong-chol Li (* 1979), North Korean marathon runner

H
Hai Li (* about 1954), Chinese writer and dissident
Hak-son Li (* 1969), North Korean wrestler
Hang Li (* 1990), Chinese snooker player
Hang Li (ice hockey player) (* 1995), Chinese ice hockey player
Herman Li (* 1976), guitarist and producer from Hong Kong
Hewen Li (* 1981), Chinese pool player
Hongbo Li (* 1974), Chinese artist
Hongchen Li (* 1975), Chinese curler and curling trainer
Hongxue Li (* 1984), Chinese cross-country skier
Hongzhang Li (1823 - 1901), Chinese General
Hongzhi Li (* 1951/1952), Chinese Falun founder
Hongzhong Li (* 1956), Chinese politician
Houzhu Li (937 - 978), Chinese poet and king
Huifen Li (* 1963), Chinese table tennis player
Huirong Li (* 1965), Chinese long-jumper and three-jumper

J
Jae-sik Li (* 1962), North Korean wrestler
Jet Li (* 1963), Chinese actor
Ji Li (Chinese concubine) (? 651 BC)
Ji Li (Chinese archaeologist) (Li Chi; 1896 - 1979)
Ji Li (track athlete) (* 1979), Chinese long-distance runner
Ji Li (swimmer) (* 1986), Chinese swimmer
Jia Wei Li (* 1981), Singapore table tennis player
Jian Li (Volleyball player)
Jian Li (ice hockey player) (* 1989), Chinese ice hockey player
Jianrou Li (* 1986), Chinese Shorttrackerin
Jiao Li (* 1973), Dutch table tennis player
Jie Li (architect) (1065 - 1110), Chinese architect
Jie Li (handball player) (* 1955), Chinese handball player
Jie Li (Sport shooter, 1973) (* 1973), Chinese sport shooter
Jie Li (Football player) (* 1979), Chinese football player
Jie Li (marksman, 1979) (* 1979), Chinese marksman
Jie Li (swimmer) (* 1983), Chinese swimmer
Jie Li (Table tennis player) (* 1984), Chinese-Dutch table tennis player
Jie Li (Badminton) (* ~1990), Chinese Badminton player
Jiheng Li (* 1957), Chinese politician
Jingyi Li (* 1980), Chinese tennis player
Jinyu Li (Soccer player) (* 1977), Chinese soccer player
Jinyu Li (short tracker) (* 2001), Chinese short tracker
Jinyuan Li (* 1958), Chinese entrepreneur
Jinyuan Li (Artist) (* 1945), Chinese artist
Jinzhe Li (* 1989), Chinese long jumper
Joseph Li Jing (* 1968), Chinese clergyman, bishop of the diocese of Ningxia
Ju Li (* 1976), Chinese table tennis player
Juan Li (* 1981), Chinese volleyball player
Jue Li (? 197), Chinese General
Junhui Li (* 1995), Chinese badminton player

K
Ka-shing Li (* 1928), entrepreneur in Hong Kong
Keqiang Li (* 1955), Chinese politician
Keran Li (1907 - 1989), Chinese painter
Kevin Li (* 1986), Canadian badminton player
Keyong Li (852 - 908), Chinese military leader
Kong Li, other name by Michel Qissi (* 1962), US-American actor
Kongzheng Li (* 1959), Chinese water sprinter
Kuchan Li (1898 - 1983), Chinese painter
Kui Li, Chinese official
Kunwu Li (* 1955), Chinese comic-strip artist

L
Lanqing Li (* 1932), Chinese politician
Li Houzhu Li (937 - 978), Chinese poet and ruler
Li Li (Badminton) (* 1983), Badminton player of Chinese origin from Singapore
Li Li (Tennis player) (* 1976), Chinese tennis player
Li Li (Table tennis player) (* ~1947), Chinese table tennis player
Li Li (entrepreneur) (* 1964), Chinese entrepreneur
Li-Li Li (* 1950), Chinese actress
Lili Li (1915 - 2005), Chinese actress
Lihui Li (* 1952), Chinese banker
Ling Li (ball thrust) (* 1985), Chinese ball thrust
Ling Li (pole vaulter) (* 1989), Chinese pole vaulter
Lingwei Li (Badminton) (* 1964), Chinese badminton player
Lingwei Li (athlete) (* 1989), Chinese javelin thrower
Liza Li (* 1988), German singer
Lu Li (* 1966), Chinese dissident
Lykke Li (née Lykke Li Timotej Zachrisson; * 1986), Swedish singer

M
Mao Li (* 1958), Chinese badminton player
Meiju Li (* 1979), Chinese shot-putters
Meisu Li (* 1959), Chinese ball bunger
Michelle Li (* 1991), Canadian badminton player
Min Chiu Li (1919 - 1980), Chinese-US-American physician
Minwei Li (1893 - 1953), Chinese film producer
Mirok Li (1899 - 1950), Korean writer
Moran Li (? 2012), Chinese actor

N
Na Li (Mao) (??; * 1940), daughter of Mao Zedong and his wife Jiang Qing
Na Li (singer) (??; * 1963), Chinese singer
Na Li (fencer) (* 1981), Chinese fencer
Na Li (tennis player) (* 1982), Chinese tennis player
Na Li (Cyclist) (* 1982), Chinese cyclist
Na Li (water sprinter) (* 1984), Chinese water sprinter
Nina Li (* 1983), Chinese freestyle ski jumper
Ning Li (* 1963), Chinese gymnast
Muzi Mei Li (* 1978), Chinese journalist and blogger

O
Oleg Olegowitsch Li (* 1991), Russian ice hockey player

P
Peggy Li (* 1984), Chinese snooker referee
Peng Li (* 1928), Chinese politician
Peter Li (* 1957), Belgian cartoonist
Ping Li (Table tennis player) (* 1986), Chinese table tennis player
Ping Li (weightlifter) (* 1988), Chinese weightlifter
Q
Qian Li (* 1986), Polish table tennis player
Qiangbing Li (* 1985), Chinese-Austrian table tennis player
Qing Li (* 1972), Chinese water sprinter
Qingming Li (* 1982), Chinese ice hockey player
Qingzhao Li (1084 - about 1151), Chinese poet
Qishi Li (* 1993), Chinese speed skater

R
Richard Li (* 1966), Canadian entrepreneur
Robin Li (* 1968), Chinese computer scientist and entrepreneur
Rui Li (Mathematician) (1769 - 1817), Chinese mathematician and astronomer
Rui Li (Politician) (* 1917), Chinese politician
Rui Li (writer) (* 1950), Chinese writer
Ruifeng Li (* 2001), US-American chess player
Ruihuan Li (* 1934), Chinese politician
Ruofan Li (* 1978), Chinese-Singaporean chess player
Ruogu Li (* 1951), Chinese banker

S
Shanlan Li (1811 - 1882), Chinese mathematician
Shaogeng Li (* 1896), Chinese and Manchurian politician
Shiqin Li, Chinese tennis player
Shixin Li (* 1988), Chinese water sprinter
Shizhen Li (1518 - 1593), Chinese scholar, physician, botanist and pharmacist
Shufu Li (* 1963), Chinese entrepreneur
Si Li (around 280 - around 208 BC), Chinese Chancellor
Si Li (tennis player) (* 1976), Chinese tennis player
Siguang Li (1889 - 1971), Chinese geologist and politician

T
Tang Gaozu Li (566 - 635), Chinese General and Kaiser
Tian Li (* 1989), Chinese badminton player
Tie Li (* 1977), Chinese footballer
Tien-Yien Li (* 1945), US-American mathematician
Tieguai Li, one of the Eight Immortals of Chinese Mythology
Tieying Li (* 1936), Chinese politician
Ting Li (Tennis player, 1980) (* 1980), Chinese tennis player
Ting Li (canoeist) (* 1985), Chinese canoeist
Ting Li (water sprinter) (* 1987), Chinese water sprinter
Ting Li (Tennis player, 1991) (* 1991), Chinese tennis player
Tingye Li (1931 - 2012), US physicist

W
Wei Li (* 1982), Chinese track and road cyclist
Weifeng Li (* 1978), Chinese soccer player
Weihan Li (1896 - 1984), Chinese politician
Wen-Hsiung Li (* 1942), Taiwanese geneticist
Wenchao Li (philosopher) (* 1957), Chinese-German philosopher, editor and professor
Wenchao Li (linguist), Chinese-British linguist
Wenzhong Li, Author of a glossary of Chinese characters
Wenyan Li (* 1983), Chinese badminton player
Wing Mui Li (* 1979), badminton player from Hong Kong
Winnie Li (Wen-Chung Winnie Li; * 1948), Taiwanese mathematician
Witali Li (* 1994), Kazakh football player