Lesley
Lesley is a girl's name of Scottish origin.
Meaning
Garden of holly or garden by the pool.
Origin and history
Lesley is a Scottish name derived from a habitational place name in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Originally used as a surname and male given name, it became widely popular for females in the United States during the mid-to-late 20th century. Today, it remains an established classic, though it is less common for newborns than it was a few decades ago.
Popularity in the United States
34,301 babies in the United States have been named Lesley since 1880. It ranks #757 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1864.
States where it is most popular
- CA (16.7 %)
- TX (10.5 %)
- NY (8.3 %)
- IL (5.4 %)
- OH (4.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 5 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 65 |
| 1920-1930 | 112 |
| 1930-1940 | 219 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,423 |
| 1950-1960 | 3,125 |
| 1960-1970 | 5,137 |
| 1970-1980 | 7,719 |
| 1980-1990 | 6,402 |
| 1990-2000 | 4,638 |
| 2000-2010 | 4,124 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,095 |
| 2020-2029 | 237 |
Famous people named Lesley
- Lesley Gore: Singer, Songwriter
- Lesley Ann Warren: Actress, Singer
- Lesley Stahl: Journalist, Television Host
Nicknames
Les, Lessie
Fun facts
- The name originally stems from the Lands of Lesslyn in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, before transitioning into a surname and given name.
- Historically, 'Lesley' was preferred for females while 'Leslie' was used for males, though both spellings are now used fluidly.