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Leslie Unisex

Popularity: #503 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationLEZ-lee / /ˈlɛzli/

Scottish; English

Meaning

Scottish: holly garden; English: meadow

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Leslie has its roots in the Scottish Gaelic language, derived from the place name "Leas Celyn," which translates to "the garden of hollies." The name was originally used as a surname, first recorded in the 12th century, and it became associated with the Leslie family, a prominent clan in Scotland. The transition of Leslie from a surname to a given name occurred in the 19th century, particularly as it began to be adopted for girls, reflecting a broader trend of using surnames as first names during that period.

Historically, the Leslie family played significant roles in Scottish history, including notable figures such as Andrew Leslie, who was a military leader in the 15th century. The name gained further recognition through its association with various Scottish nobles and was featured in literature and historical texts. The name Leslie also appears in the works of Sir Walter Scott, a key figure in the Scottish literary revival of the early 19th century, which contributed to the romanticization of Scottish heritage.

Culturally, Leslie has been embraced in various forms across different regions, often symbolizing strength and resilience. The name has been associated with various traditions and has been used in literature and the arts, reinforcing its significance in cultural narratives. The diminutive form "Les" has also emerged, reflecting a more informal or affectionate use of the name. Overall, Leslie's journey from a geographical designation to a personal name encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and cultural heritage.

Trend Summary

Leslie has seen a decline in popularity for girls in the United States since the 1990s.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Lesly
  • Leslee

International Variants

  • Leslie (English)
  • Lesly (Spanish)

Famous people named Leslie

Leslie Mann is an actress best known for The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and This Is 40.

Leslie Odom Jr. is a singer and actor best known for Hamilton, One Night in Miami, and Smash.

Leslie Nielsen was an actor best known for Airplane!, The Naked Gun, and Forbidden Planet.

Leslie West was a guitarist and singer best known for his work with Mountain and the song Mississippi Queen.

Leslie Bibb is an actress best known for Iron Man, Talladega Nights, and The Midnight Meat Train.

Leslie Grace is a singer and actress best known for In the Heights and her music career.

Leslie Ash is an actress best known for her roles in Men Behaving Badly, and The Comic Strip Presents.

Fictional characters named Leslie

Leslie Knope is a fictional character from the TV series Parks and Recreation. She is an enthusiastic and dedicated public servant who works in the Parks Department of the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana.

Leslie Burke is a fictional character from the novel and film Bridge to Terabithia. She is a creative and imaginative girl who befriends a boy named Jess and helps him discover the power of friendship and imagination.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Leslie was first seen in the United States in 1880. Leslie has ranked as high as #141 nationally, which occurred in 1957, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Leslie has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Leslie (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 93
20%
TX 80
17%
NY 33
7%
FL 27
6%
IL 23
5%
NC 20
4%
TN 17
4%
VA 14
3%
NJ 13
3%
GA 11
2%
AL 11
2%
WA 10
2%
MO 10
2%
AZ 9
2%
CO 9
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18808
188111
18829
18837
188415
188510
18868
188712
188823
188923
189020
189128
189222
189326
189436
189522
189627
189734
189824
189918
190030
190129
190237
190324
190430
190535
190629
190734
190841
190935
191052
191135
191249
191352
191468
191588
1916101
191799
1918127
1919114
192092
1921126
1922121
1923151
1924142
1925139
1926140
1927126
1928102
1929102
1930132
1931101
193294
1933123
1934125
1935161
1936179
1937177
1938176
1939179
1940254
1941505
1942834
19431,137
19441,202
19451,704
19462,139
19472,358
19482,305
19492,418
19502,329
19512,540
19523,573
19533,904
19544,147
19554,405
19564,382
19576,103
19586,014
19595,651
19605,241
19615,669
19625,778
19635,856
19645,598
19654,875
19664,999
19675,318
19685,282
19695,835
19705,622
19715,111
19724,184
19733,954
19744,463
19754,105
19764,311
19774,250
19784,342
19794,498
19804,776
19814,934
19824,984
19834,249
19843,817
19853,606
19863,225
19873,194
19883,080
19892,864
19902,828
19912,551
19922,482
19932,294
19942,398
19952,313
19962,664
19972,821
19983,079
19993,341
20003,623
20013,612
20023,522
20033,639
20043,500
20053,122
20063,036
20072,690
20082,325
20091,983
20101,565
20111,286
20121,225
20131,111
20141,000
2015880
2016806
2017704
2018600
2019572
2020488
2021477
2022453
2023440
2024495