All about the name

Lesli

Female

« Leslie is a Scottish name originally derived from the Norman French town Lessay, meaning "from Lessay." It was first used as a boy's name in Scotland during the 13th century but later became more commonly associated with girls. Notable individuals named Leslie include Henry Leslie, an English composer, and American actress Leslie Howard. »

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Meaning, origin, history

Leslie is a name of Scottish origin, derived from the Scottish surname Leslie, which was originally a Norman French name meaning "from Lessay", a town in Normandy, France. The name has been used as both a given name and a surname throughout history. The first recorded use of the name Leslie as a given name was in Scotland during the 13th century. It was initially used as a boy's name, but over time it became more commonly associated with girls. Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Leslie. One of the most famous is Henry Leslie, an English composer and organist who lived during the 17th century. Another notable figure is the American actress Leslie Howard, who was active in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s. Today, Leslie remains a popular given name, with variations such as Lesley and Leslie-Anne being particularly common. Despite its traditional Scottish origins, the name has been widely adopted around the world and is now used by people of various backgrounds and nationalities.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Lesli since 1880

Total births
5,763
Total since 1880
Peak year
2001
166 births
in 2023
15
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
-17%
vs previous 5 years