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Home › Baby Names Directory › Lesley

Lesley

♀ Girl

Pronounced LEZ-lee /ˈlɛz.li/High

Meaning: From a Scottish place-name and surname — variously 'garden of holly' or 'grey fort/field'Medium

In 30 seconds: A Scottish garden of holly: Lesley is the traditional feminine spelling of the storied clan-name. Crisp, classic, and quietly elegant.
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Origin MediumScottish
MeaningFrom a Scottish place-name and surname — variously 'garden of holly' or 'grey fort/field'
U.S. rank (2025)#4617 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births30 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1980
Total births (all-time)≈ 34,302

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198018932025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Lesley is a Scottish place-name and surname — variously read 'garden of holly' or 'grey fort/field' (routes debated, which we note). The -ley spelling became the traditional feminine form (Lesley vs. masculine Leslie).

It registers thinly today. Rare, holly-garden at the root, and classic.

Did you know? Robert Burns wrote a poem to 'Bonnie Lesley' — and the -ley spelling has long been the feminine form of this Scottish clan name.
Overall data confidence 75%
Behind the Name — Lesley — routes debated

Variations

LeslieLeslyLeslee

Nicknames

Les

Famous Bearers

  • ★Lesley Gore (1946-2015)
    American singer and songwriter best known for the 1963 hit It's My Party
  • ★Lesley Manville (1956-)
    British actress known for her roles in Mike Leigh films and the TV series Mum
  • ★Lesley Ann Warren (1946-)
    American actress and singer nominated for an Academy Award for Victor/Victoria
  • ★Lesley Sharp (1960-)
    British actress known for her roles in the TV series Scott & Bailey and the film The Full Monty

If you like Lesley…

Leslie— the masculine-spelled twin
Lesly— a fellow spelling
Ainsley— a companion Scottish -ley name
Paisley— another Scottish place-name

Explore names like Lesley

By themeuncertainsurname-namescottish
By meaningEarth / Nature

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Lesley mean?

Lesley is a Scottish place-name, variously 'garden of holly' or 'grey fort'; the routes are debated.

How do you pronounce Lesley?

It's said LEZ-lee /ˈlɛz.li/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Lesley a boy or girl name?

Lesley is used for both sexes; the -ley spelling is the traditional feminine form.

How popular is Lesley?

Lesley is a rare name in the U.S. today.

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