Lesly

♀ Girl

Pronounced LEZ-lee /ˈlɛz.li/High

Meaning: Holly garden; or grey fortress; variant spelling of Leslie, from Scottish Gaelic lios (garden, enclosure) + cuilinn (holly)Medium

In 30 seconds: A spelling variant of Leslie, the Scottish place-name surname meaning 'holly garden' or 'grey fortress.' The -y spelling is particularly common in Spanish-speaking communities as an intuitive phonetic rendering.

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Origin MediumScottish

MeaningHolly garden; or grey fortress; variant spelling of Leslie, from Scottish Gaelic lios (garden, enclosure) + cuilinn (holly)

U.S. rank (2025)#1448 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births149 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2003

Total births (all-time)≈ 15,280

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Lesly is a variant spelling of Leslie, from the Scottish place name Leslie in Aberdeenshire, believed to derive from Scottish Gaelic lios (garden, enclosure) and cuilinn (holly). It became a Scottish surname and then a given name.

Lesly is used primarily in Hispanic communities in the U.S. as a phonetic Spanish rendering of Leslie. It ranked #1100 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? Leslie was primarily a male name — borne by famous men like Leslie Howard and Leslie Nielsen — until the 1940s, when it began its decisive shift to a female name in the United States.

Overall data confidence 80%

Behind the Name — Leslie — Scottish Gaelic etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

LeslieLesleyLeslee

Nicknames

Les

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Lesly…

Leslie— the standard spelling of the same Scottish name

Ashley— two-syllable -ley Old English surname popular for girls

Kelsey— two-syllable -sey surname name from the same naming era

Lindsey— two-syllable -sey surname name popular for girls in the same period

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Lesly mean?

Lesly means 'holly garden' or 'grey fortress,' a spelling variant of Leslie, from Scottish Gaelic lios (garden) and cuilinn (holly).

How do you pronounce Lesly?

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

Is Lesly a boy or girl name?

Lesly is used primarily as a girls' name.

How popular is Lesly?

Lesly ranked #1100 for U.S. girls in 2024.