Leslie
- Meaning
- Scottish place name, traditionally interpreted as garden of holly
- Origin
- Scottish
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What does Leslie mean?
Leslie means “Scottish place name, traditionally interpreted as garden of holly”.
Leslie began as a Scottish place name and surname before becoming a given name. It is traditionally interpreted as “garden of holly,” although the place and family connection is more definite than a literal modern English phrase. Leslie has a long history of use for both boys and girls.
Lesley is a familiar spelling comparison, with different conventions in different countries. Actor Leslie Howard is one established namesake, while comedian Bob Hope was born Leslie Townes Hope. Les offers a short form. The name can preserve a family surname or honor a relative without requiring the spelling to carry the same gender association everywhere.
Nicknames & variations
Explore short forms, spellings, and related names.
Nicknames for Leslie
Short forms for everyday use.
Variations & related forms
Related forms and spellings recorded for this name.
How popular is Leslie?
United States · 2025Explore how often Leslie is used and how its ranking has changed.
- US girls rank
- #712 2025 · #1 is most popular
- Girls named Leslie
- 393 Recorded births in 2025
- Change in births
- 20.8% Fewer than 2024
Leslie over time
United States · Girls
Recorded births
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Yearly data & usage
Rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys. The summary highlights girls, the most common recorded usage in 2025. Use the chart’s usage selector to explore both categories.
| Year | Usage | US rank | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | #3,563 | 32 |
| 2025 | Girls | #712 | 393 |
| 2024 | Boys | #3,024 | 41 |
| 2024 | Girls | #606 | 496 |
| 2023 | Boys | #3,094 | 40 |
| 2023 | Girls | #670 | 440 |
| 2022 | Boys | #3,505 | 33 |
| 2022 | Girls | #653 | 453 |
| 2021 | Boys | #3,462 | 33 |
| 2021 | Girls | #625 | 477 |
| 2020 | Boys | #3,982 | 26 |
| 2020 | Girls | #596 | 488 |
| 2019 | Boys | #2,610 | 50 |
| 2019 | Girls | #536 | 572 |
| 2018 | Boys | #3,081 | 38 |
| 2018 | Girls | #521 | 601 |
| 2017 | Boys | #2,742 | 45 |
| 2017 | Girls | #449 | 704 |
| 2016 | Boys | #2,708 | 45 |
| 2016 | Girls | #414 | 807 |
| 2015 | Boys | #2,338 | 56 |
| 2015 | Girls | #371 | 880 |
| 2014 | Boys | #2,222 | 61 |
| 2014 | Girls | #338 | 1,000 |
Years reflect available birth records. Missing records do not mean zero births.
Names like Leslie
Explore the connection, then save your favorites to compare.
Lesly
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Variant of Leslie; possibly garden of holly
Listed as a related name to Leslie.
Isla
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Island
Shares an origin with Leslie.
Lainey
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Bright shining light
Shares an origin with Leslie.
Logan
Unisex- Meaning
- Small hollow
Shares an origin with Leslie.
Rowan
Unisex- Meaning
- Rowan tree; little redhead
Shares an origin with Leslie.
Paisley
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Scottish place name, traditionally linked to church
Shares an origin with Leslie.
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