The nameLeslie
Leslie is a Scottish name, first given to boys and now mostly to girls in America.
- Girl's name
- Scottish
Meaning
Leslie comes from a place name in Aberdeenshire, perhaps from the Gaelic leas celyn, "garden of holly".
Origin
Scottish.
History
Leslie became a surname, then a first name. Boys held it first; American girls took over, with a peak at 56th in 1981. Leslie Knope of Parks and Recreation is a well-known bearer.
Famous people named Leslie
- Leslie Caron, actress
- Leslie Nielsen, actor
- Leslie Jones, comedian
- Leslie Howard, actor
Popularity of the name Leslie
Leslie in the United States
Leslie was most popular in the United States in the 1960s, with 68,174 births over the decade, 18% of all recorded babies named Leslie. Its rise began around 1913, and it peaked in 1957. Half of all babies named Leslie in the United States were born before 1966, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 505 births a year on average, against 759 in the five years before.
Leslie in Ireland
Leslie was most popular in Ireland in the 1970s, with 329 births over the decade, 47% of all recorded babies named Leslie. Half of all babies named Leslie in Ireland were born before 1973, so it is mostly a parents' generation name.
Leslie in France
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Leslie
Names from the same generation as Leslie, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Leslie? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Leslie with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Leslie side by side with the name of your choice.
Leslie in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Leslie mean?
Leslie comes from a place name in Aberdeenshire, perhaps from the Gaelic leas celyn, "garden of holly".
What is the origin of the name Leslie?
Scottish.
Is Leslie a girl's or a boy's name?
Leslie is a girl's name. In the United States, 71% of the babies named Leslie are girls.
How popular is the name Leslie?
In 2024, Leslie was the 603rd most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 495 births.
What are the variants of the name Leslie?
Variants and related names of Leslie include Lesly.
What are good sibling names for Leslie?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Stephanie, Michelle, Alyssa and Gabrielle for a sister, Brian, Tyler, Brendan and Brandon for a brother.
Who are famous people named Leslie?
Leslie Caron, actress; Leslie Nielsen, actor; Leslie Jones, comedian; Leslie Howard, actor.