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Leslie

♂ Boy

Leslie Pronunciation

Leslie is pronounced LEZ-lee /ˈlɛz.li/High

Meaning: Garden of hollies; grey fortressMedium

In 30 seconds: Leslie is a Scottish surname from a Gaelic place name meaning 'garden of hollies.' Long a distinguished male name, it shifted toward female use in the 20th century but has deep masculine heritage.

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Origin HighScottish Gaelic

MeaningGarden of hollies; grey fortress

U.S. rank (2024)#3016 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births41 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1952

Total births (all-time)≈ 112,958

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

The Scottish place Leslie in Aberdeenshire gives its name to the clan, derived from Gaelic leas celyn (holly garden) or possibly liath (grey). As a given name it was firmly masculine in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Leslie Howard, the British actor and director who played Ashley Wilkes in Gone with the Wind (1939), exemplified the name's patrician masculine style. American culture gradually reassigned it as primarily feminine from the 1940s onward, though it remains in male use.

Did you know? The Leslie clan of Scotland has held the earldom of Rothes since 1458 — one of Scotland's oldest surviving noble titles — and Field Marshal Alexander Leslie led the Covenanters in the 1639 Bishops' Wars, showing this name's warrior credentials.

Overall data confidence 85%

Oxford Dictionary of First Names — Leslie from Scottish Gaelic place nameBlack's Surnames of Scotland — Leslie clan origin and etymology

Variations

LesleyLes

Nicknames

Les

Famous Bearers

★Leslie Howard (1893–1943)
English actor famous for playing Ashley Wilkes in 'Gone with the Wind'.
★Alexander Leslie, 1st Earl of Leven (1580–1661)
Scottish field marshal who commanded the Covenanter army during the Bishops' Wars.

If you like Leslie…

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Logan— Scottish Gaelic place-name-origin first name of similar standing

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Browse the whole category: All Scottish Gaelic names → · All origins →

Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Leslie?

Leslie is pronounced LEZ-lee (/ˈlɛz.li/). Press play above to hear Leslie said aloud.

How do you say Leslie?

Leslie is said LEZ-lee (/ˈlɛz.li/). Press play above to hear Leslie said aloud.

What does the name Leslie mean?

Leslie means 'garden of hollies' or 'grey fortress,' from Scottish Gaelic leas celyn. It is the name of a Scottish clan and Aberdeenshire place.

Is Leslie a boy or girl name?

Leslie was traditionally a boy's name and is listed as male here. It has become increasingly used for girls in the 20th century, but retains strong masculine usage.

How popular is Leslie?

Leslie is moderately common for boys historically and remains in use, though it is now more frequently seen as a girl's name in the US.