Lesley Unisex

Popularity: #918 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: LEZ-lee /ˈlɛzli/

Origin: Scottish; English

Meaning: Scottish: meadow; English: from the meadow

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Lesley has its roots in Scotland, derived from the Scottish surname "Leslie," which itself originates from a place name in Aberdeenshire. The etymology of Leslie can be traced back to the Gaelic elements "leas," meaning "garden," and "ail," meaning "rock," thus suggesting a meaning akin to "garden by the rock." The name was first recorded in the 12th century, associated with the Leslie family, who were prominent landowners in the region.

Over time, the surname transitioned into a given name, particularly in the 19th century, as surnames began to be adopted as first names in various cultures, including English-speaking countries. Historically, the Leslie family produced notable figures, including the 1st Earl of Rothes in the 17th century, who played a significant role in Scottish politics.

The name gained further recognition through its association with various historical events and figures, including the involvement of the Leslies in the Wars of the Covenant and their support for the Scottish Reformation. The name's prominence was further solidified by its inclusion in literary works and its appearance in various forms of art and culture throughout the centuries.

Culturally, the name Lesley has been associated with qualities such as strength and resilience, reflecting the historical significance of the Leslie family in Scotland. The name has also been linked to various traditions and customs within Scottish heritage.

In addition to its use as a feminine given name, Lesley has several diminutive forms, such as Les, which have been used informally. Overall, the name Lesley carries a rich historical and cultural legacy, rooted in its Scottish origins and the notable figures associated with it.

Famous people named Lesley

In this section, you will find notable people named Lesley. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Lesley who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Lesley who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Lesley Manville is an actress best known for Phantom Thread, Another Year, and Secrets & Lies.

Lesley Gore is a singer best known for It's My Party, Judy's Turn to Cry, and You Don't Own Me.

Lesley Nicol is an actress best known for Downton Abbey, The History Boys, and The Good Karma Hospital.

Lesley Sharp is an actress best known for The Full Monty, After Life, and Scott & Bailey.

Lesley Ann Warren is an actress and singer best known for Victor/Victoria, Clue, and 9 to 5.

Fictional characters named Lesley

The following list of fictional characters named Lesley is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Lesley is a fictional character from the TV series The Good Place. She is a resident of the afterlife who navigates the complexities of morality and ethics alongside the main characters.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Lesley, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

LindsayKelseyAshleyBrittanyMeganEmily

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Lesley. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

KelseyCarlyShelbyHaleyTinsleyBaileyRileyMackenzie

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Lesley was first seen in the United States in 1882.

Lesley has ranked as high as #498 nationally, which occurred in 1980, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Lesley has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Lesley is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Lesley was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Lesley.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 30 0 30
2024 36 0 36
2023 29 0 29
2022 51 0 51
2021 40 0 40
2020 51 0 51
2019 51 0 51
2018 62 0 62
2017 52 0 52
2016 84 8 76
2015 102 6 96
2014 113 0 113
2013 120 0 120
2012 131 0 131
2011 182 7 175
2010 226 7 219
2009 233 10 223
2008 259 5 254
2007 360 7 353
2006 383 12 371
2005 390 8 382
2004 460 9 451
2003 464 12 452
2002 482 11 471
2001 518 9 509
2000 675 17 658
1999 703 21 682
1998 710 15 695
1997 641 15 626
1996 606 15 591
1995 286 10 276
1994 308 20 288
1993 336 22 314
1992 373 19 354
1991 402 30 372
1990 466 26 440
1989 421 27 394
1988 503 23 480
1987 496 24 472
1986 560 40 520
1985 591 26 565
1984 647 41 606
1983 776 42 734
1982 873 40 833
1981 930 60 870
1980 981 53 928
1979 955 42 913
1978 888 46 842
1977 930 82 848
1976 809 57 752
1975 770 56 714
1974 841 59 782
1973 686 75 611
1972 706 65 641
1971 921 71 850
1970 841 75 766
1969 780 66 714
1968 747 86 661
1967 788 99 689
1966 852 100 752
1965 839 95 744
1964 481 78 403
1963 438 88 350
1962 388 84 304
1961 352 76 276
1960 320 76 244
1959 406 101 305
1958 388 102 286
1957 480 83 397
1956 375 80 295
1955 402 69 333
1954 429 75 354
1953 367 70 297
1952 386 79 307
1951 383 86 297
1950 318 64 254
1949 330 81 249
1948 283 71 212
1947 286 71 215
1946 261 57 204
1945 177 48 129
1944 199 70 129
1943 163 68 95
1942 162 60 102
1941 103 47 56
1940 89 57 32
1939 79 43 36
1938 79 40 39
1937 75 39 36
1936 49 31 18
1935 65 37 28
1934 65 42 23
1933 52 35 17
1932 36 31 5
1931 34 25 9
1930 48 40 8
1929 54 41 13
1928 51 46 5
1927 65 51 14
1926 51 36 15
1925 67 53 14
1924 47 40 7
1923 54 45 9
1922 64 58 6
1921 53 39 14
1920 65 50 15
1919 48 41 7
1918 52 41 11
1917 41 36 5
1916 41 29 12
1915 37 27 10
1914 27 22 5
1913 32 22 10
1912 19 19 0
1911 11 11 0
1910 17 12 5
1909 6 6 0
1908 11 11 0
1906 7 7 0
1905 10 10 0
1904 7 7 0
1903 17 17 0
1901 6 6 0
1900 10 10 0
1898 8 8 0
1897 5 5 0
1896 5 5 0
1893 5 0 5
1883 5 5 0
1882 6 6 0

Top States for Lesley (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 7
58%
GA 5
42%