Lei is of Chinese origin, meaning 'thunder' or 'powerful'. It's often used as both a given name and a surname, reflecting its robust and influential nature. The name Lei is composed of one character in Chinese, 雷, which represents thunder. In some variations, it may also signify might or strength. It is pronounced /lei/ in English, with the 'e' sound rhyming with 'day'. Despite its powerful meaning, Lei has a simple and elegant aesthetic when written in Chinese calligraphy.
The name Lei has seen a resurgence in popularity since the late 20th century, with notable peaks in usage in recent years.