Leslie
Leslie is a boy's name of Scottish origin.
Meaning
Garden of holly trees, or grey castle.
Origin and history
Leslie is derived from a Scottish place name and clan surname, traditionally interpreted as meaning 'garden of holly trees'. Historically used predominantly for boys in the 19th and early 20th centuries, it shifted over time in the U.S. to become a well-known unisex name.
Popularity in the United States
112,989 babies in the United States have been named Leslie since 1880. It ranks #287 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1722.
States where it is most popular
- TX (7.6 %)
- NY (7 %)
- CA (6.4 %)
- IL (5.6 %)
- MI (4.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 1,292 |
| 1890-1900 | 2,063 |
| 1900-1910 | 2,531 |
| 1910-1920 | 10,630 |
| 1920-1930 | 15,065 |
| 1930-1940 | 12,242 |
| 1940-1950 | 19,389 |
| 1950-1960 | 21,381 |
| 1960-1970 | 13,724 |
| 1970-1980 | 7,194 |
| 1980-1990 | 3,864 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,960 |
| 2000-2010 | 967 |
| 2010-2019 | 482 |
| 2020-2029 | 205 |
Famous people named Leslie
- Leslie Nielsen: Actor, Comedian
- Leslie Howard: Actor, Director
- Leslie Odom Jr.: Actor, Singer
Nicknames
Les
Fun facts
- Leslie began as a predominantly masculine name before transitioning into a popular unisex choice in the mid-20th century.
- The name originates from the lands of Leslie in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.