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Leslie

♀ Girl

Pronounced LEZ-lee /ˈlɛz.li/High

Meaning: From a Scottish place name, possibly from Gaelic lios (garden, enclosure) and cuilinn (holly), meaning 'garden of holly'; alternatively from a Pictish or Scottish element meaning 'grey fortress'; an ancient clan name from Aberdeenshire, ScotlandMedium

In 30 seconds: Leslie is a classic Scottish surname that made a long journey from Highland clan name to mid-century American girls name. Understated and quietly elegant, it has a vintage warmth that appeals to parents rediscovering its gentle charm.
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Origin HighScottish Gaelic
MeaningFrom a Scottish place name, possibly from Gaelic lios (garden, enclosure) and cuilinn (holly), meaning 'garden of holly'; alternatively from a Pictish or Scottish element meaning 'grey fortress'; an ancient clan name from Aberdeenshire, Scotland
U.S. rank (2025)#712 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births393 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1957
Total births (all-time)≈ 270,422

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 195718802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Leslie is a Scottish clan name derived from a place in Aberdeenshire. The Leslie family were powerful nobles in medieval Scotland. As a given name, Leslie was first used predominantly for men in Scotland before crossing to the United States, where it gradually became associated with girls through the mid-20th century.

Leslie peaked as a girls name in the United States in the 1970s and has since settled into a comfortable classic status. The spelling Lesley is more associated with feminine use in Britain, while Leslie is more common for both sexes in America. Parks and Recreation's Leslie Knope gave the name fresh visibility.

Did you know? The Leslie clan of Scotland is ancient, with records dating to the 12th century in Aberdeenshire. The family motto is Grip Fast — a phrase reportedly originating from a story of a Leslie ancestor who saved King Malcolm III from a charging bull by gripping its horns.
Overall data confidence 80%
Behind the Name — Leslie — etymology and usageU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

LesleyLesleeLesli

Nicknames

LesLee

Famous Bearers

  • ★Leslie Knope (fictional)
    Fictional protagonist of the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation, played by Amy Poehler.

If you like Leslie…

Lindsey— shares the Scottish surname heritage and the 1970s–80s peak as a girls name
Kelsey— fellow Scottish-origin surname with a parallel trajectory as a mid-century girls name
Sydney— shares the place-name surname crossover to first name with the same era of popularity
Courtney— parallel surname-name that peaked in the same era and has the same vintage warmth

Frequently Asked

What does the name Leslie mean?

Leslie likely means 'garden of holly' from Scottish Gaelic, though the exact etymology is debated. It is an ancient Scottish clan and place name from Aberdeenshire.

How do you pronounce Leslie?

Leslie is pronounced LEZ-lee /ˈlɛz.li/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Leslie a boy or girl name?

Leslie has been used for both sexes. In the U.S. it is predominantly a girls name, especially in use since the mid-20th century.

Is Leslie an old-fashioned name?

Leslie peaked in the 1970s and has a warm vintage quality today. It is experiencing a quiet rediscovery as parents return to classic understated names.