Leslie Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Leslie Name Meaning

Fact: WIth a meaning of holly garden, the name Leslie is often associated with the bright red berries found all over Scotland.

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A Deep Dive

Leslie Overview

Meaning

Holly garden

Gender

Girl, Gender-neutral

Origin

Scottish

Etymology

Derived from the Gaelic phrase “leas celyn,” meaning “garden of holly”​.

Pronunciation

/ˈlɛsli/

Popularity

Leslie is commonly used in the United States, Canada, and Scotland. In 2023, it ranked #669 for girls in the USA.

Syllable

1 syllable

Length

6 letters

Numerology

8 (Practical, Ambitious, Materialistic)

Name Styles

Classic, Cool, Vintage, Nature-inspired

Associated Traits

Authoritative, powerful, tenacious, wealthy

Name Day

June 27th, August 20 (Scotland)​
A Deep Dive

Leslie Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Lesley, Lesly, Leslea, Leslee, Lesleigh, Lesli, Lesley-Anne, Leslie-Ann, Lesley-Ann, Leslie-Marie

Common Nicknames

Les, Lee, Lez, Liz, Lulu, Ellie, Lela, Lesliar, Lexy, Lia

Diminutives

Les, Lee, Lesli, Liz, Lulu

Famous People

  • Leslie Jordan
    (American TV Actor)
  • Leslie Mann
    (American Movie Actress)
  • Leslie Odom Jr.
    (American Stage Actor)
  • Leslie Bibb
    (American Movie Actress)
  • Leslie Caron
    (French-American Movie Actress)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Leslie Knope
    ("Parks and Recreation," TV Series)
  • Leslie Burke
    ("Bridge to Terabithia," Film)
  • Leslie Winkle
    ("The Big Bang Theory," TV Series)
  • Leslie Shay
    ("Chicago Fire," TV Series)

Places

  • Leslie City
    (Michigan, USA)
  • Leslie Town
    (Mpumalanga, South Africa)
  • Leslie Village
    (Arkansas, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Leslie?

Leslie means “holly garden,” often seen as adaptable and versatile, bringing a sense of calm and stability.

What Is the Origin of The Name Leslie?

Leslie is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic words “leas celyn,” which translate to “garden of holly.”

Leslie Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Leslie in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#6212021#6512022#6692023
Top 3 Rankings#561981#601982#611980

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Leslie

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023669
(-18 from 2022)
439
(-14 from 2022)
0.02510
2022651
(-30 from 2021)
453
(-24 from 2021)
0.02526
2021621
(-25 from 2020)
477
(-10 from 2020)
0.02662
2020596
(-59 from 2019)
487
(-84 from 2019)
0.02755
2019537
(-16 from 2018)
571
(-29 from 2018)
0.03112
2018521
(-71 from 2017)
600
(-103 from 2017)
0.03226
2017450
(-37 from 2016)
703
(-102 from 2016)
0.03721
2016413
(-42 from 2015)
805
(-75 from 2015)
0.04158
2015371
(-34 from 2014)
880
(-120 from 2014)
0.04511
2014337
(-51 from 2013)
1000
(-111 from 2013)
0.05112
2013286
(-20 from 2012)
1111
(-114 from 2012)
0.05763
2012266
(-20 from 2011)
1225
(-61 from 2011)
0.06316
2011246
(-47 from 2010)
1286
(-279 from 2010)
0.06637
2010199
(-39 from 2009)
1565
(-417 from 2009)
0.07982
2009160
(-13 from 2008)
1982
(-343 from 2008)
0.09787
2008147
(-20 from 2007)
2325
(-365 from 2007)
0.11162
2007127
(-19 from 2006)
2690
(-346 from 2006)
0.12710
2006108
(-5 from 2005)
3036
(-86 from 2005)
0.14523
2005103
(-10 from 2004)
3122
(-378 from 2004)
0.15383
200493
(-2 from 2003)
3500
(-139 from 2003)
0.17346
200391
No change from 2002
3639
(+117 from 2002)
0.18137
200291
(-7 from 2001)
3522
(-90 from 2001)
0.17833
200184
(+6 from 2000)
3612
(-11 from 2000)
0.18234
200090
(+10 from 1999)
3623
(+282 from 1999)
0.18154
1999100
(+11 from 1998)
3341
(+262 from 1998)
0.17161
1998111
(+4 from 1997)
3079
(+258 from 1997)
0.15883
1997115
(+3 from 1996)
2821
(+157 from 1996)
0.14775
1996118
(+19 from 1995)
2664
(+351 from 1995)
0.13895
1995137
(-6 from 1994)
2313
(-85 from 1994)
0.12037
1994131
(+7 from 1993)
2398
(+104 from 1993)
0.12301
1993138
(-5 from 1992)
2294
(-188 from 1992)
0.11636
1992133
(-9 from 1991)
2482
(-69 from 1991)
0.12381
1991124
(-9 from 1990)
2551
(-277 from 1990)
0.12545
1990115
(-7 from 1989)
2828
(-35 from 1989)
0.13766
1989108
(-14 from 1988)
2863
(-217 from 1988)
0.14371
198894
(-5 from 1987)
3080
(-114 from 1987)
0.16016
198789
(-4 from 1986)
3194
(-31 from 1986)
0.17042
198685
(-9 from 1985)
3225
(-381 from 1985)
0.17475
198576
(-1 from 1984)
3606
(-210 from 1984)
0.19531
198475
(-8 from 1983)
3816
(-433 from 1983)
0.21161
198367
(-7 from 1982)
4249
(-735 from 1982)
0.23742
198260
(-4 from 1981)
4984
(+50 from 1981)
0.27471
198156
(+5 from 1980)
4934
(+158 from 1980)
0.27587
198061
(+4 from 1979)
4776
(+278 from 1979)
0.26822
197965
(-2 from 1978)
4498
(+156 from 1978)
0.26101
197863
(+2 from 1977)
4342
(+92 from 1977)
0.26413
197765
No change from 1976
4250
(-61 from 1976)
0.25836
197665
(+6 from 1975)
4311
(+206 from 1975)
0.27425
197571
(-6 from 1974)
4105
(-358 from 1974)
0.26299
197465
(+10 from 1973)
4463
(+509 from 1973)
0.28495
197375
No change from 1972
3954
(-230 from 1972)
0.25442
197275
(-7 from 1971)
4184
(-926 from 1971)
0.25946
197168
(-4 from 1970)
5110
(-513 from 1970)
0.29157
197064
No change from 1969
5623
(-212 from 1969)
0.30696
196964
(+2 from 1968)
5835
(+553 from 1968)
0.33102
196866
No change from 1967
5282
(-36 from 1967)
0.30895
196766
(+5 from 1966)
5318
(+319 from 1966)
0.30976
196671
(+4 from 1965)
4999
(+124 from 1965)
0.28472
196575
(-2 from 1964)
4875
(-723 from 1964)
0.26676
196473
(-1 from 1963)
5598
(-258 from 1963)
0.28600
196372
(+8 from 1962)
5856
(+78 from 1962)
0.29456
196280
(+4 from 1961)
5778
(+108 from 1961)
0.28507
196184
(+8 from 1960)
5670
(+429 from 1960)
0.27297
196092
(-8 from 1959)
5241
(-409 from 1959)
0.25200
195984
(-5 from 1958)
5650
(-364 from 1958)
0.27182
195879
(-2 from 1957)
6014
(-88 from 1957)
0.29113
195777
(+27 from 1956)
6102
(+1719 from 1956)
0.29083
1956104
(-5 from 1955)
4383
(-20 from 1955)
0.21282
195599
No change from 1954
4403
(+256 from 1954)
0.21961
195499
(-3 from 1953)
4147
(+242 from 1953)
0.20830
195396
(+8 from 1952)
3905
(+332 from 1952)
0.20238
1952104
(+29 from 1951)
3573
(+1033 from 1951)
0.18786
1951133
(+1 from 1950)
2540
(+211 from 1950)
0.13750
1950134
(-2 from 1949)
2329
(-89 from 1949)
0.13244
1949132
(-1 from 1948)
2418
(+113 from 1948)
0.13774
1948131
(+1 from 1947)
2305
(-53 from 1947)
0.13227
1947132
(-2 from 1946)
2358
(+219 from 1946)
0.12971
1946130
(+12 from 1945)
2139
(+435 from 1945)
0.13262
1945142
(+40 from 1944)
1704
(+502 from 1944)
0.12659
1944182
(+9 from 1943)
1202
(+65 from 1943)
0.08796
1943191
(+40 from 1942)
1137
(+303 from 1942)
0.07921
1942231
(+57 from 1941)
834
(+329 from 1941)
0.05998
1941288
(+139 from 1940)
505
(+251 from 1940)
0.04053
1940427
(+72 from 1939)
254
(+75 from 1939)
0.02150
1939499
(+5 from 1938)
179
(+3 from 1938)
0.01578
1938504
(-11 from 1937)
176
(-1 from 1937)
0.01542
1937493
(-13 from 1936)
177
(-2 from 1936)
0.01606
1936480
(+22 from 1935)
179
(+18 from 1935)
0.01661
1935502
(+77 from 1934)
161
(+36 from 1934)
0.01481
1934579
(-1 from 1933)
125
(+2 from 1933)
0.01155
1933578
(+120 from 1932)
123
(+29 from 1932)
0.01176
1932698
(-36 from 1931)
94
(-7 from 1931)
0.00850
1931662
(-62 from 1930)
101
(-31 from 1930)
0.00915
1930600
(+94 from 1929)
132
(+30 from 1929)
0.01132
1929694
(-2 from 1928)
102
No change from 1928
0.00881
1928692
(-54 from 1927)
102
(-24 from 1927)
0.00853
1927638
(-39 from 1926)
126
(-14 from 1926)
0.01019
1926599
(+23 from 1925)
140
(+1 from 1925)
0.01138
1925622
(+10 from 1924)
139
(-3 from 1924)
0.01100
1924632
(-45 from 1923)
142
(-9 from 1923)
0.01096
1923587
(+72 from 1922)
151
(+30 from 1922)
0.01206
1922659
(-5 from 1921)
121
(-5 from 1921)
0.00970
1921654
(+103 from 1920)
126
(+34 from 1920)
0.00985
1920757
(-106 from 1919)
92
(-22 from 1919)
0.00740
1919651
(-24 from 1918)
114
(-13 from 1918)
0.00971
1918627
(+63 from 1917)
127
(+28 from 1917)
0.01056
1917690
(-11 from 1916)
99
(-2 from 1916)
0.00881
1916679
(+34 from 1915)
101
(+13 from 1915)
0.00930
1915713
(-12 from 1914)
88
(+20 from 1914)
0.00859
1914701
(+20 from 1913)
68
(+16 from 1913)
0.00854
1913721
(-4 from 1912)
52
(+3 from 1912)
0.00794
1912717
(+16 from 1911)
49
(+14 from 1911)
0.00835
1911733
(-163 from 1910)
35
(-17 from 1910)
0.00792
1910570
(+99 from 1909)
52
(+17 from 1909)
0.01239
1909669
(-86 from 1908)
35
(-6 from 1908)
0.00951
1908583
(+54 from 1907)
41
(+7 from 1907)
0.01156
1907637
(+41 from 1906)
34
(+5 from 1906)
0.01008
1906678
(-91 from 1905)
29
(-6 from 1905)
0.00925
1905587
(+42 from 1904)
35
(+5 from 1904)
0.01130
1904629
(+51 from 1903)
30
(+6 from 1903)
0.01026
1903680
(-152 from 1902)
24
(-13 from 1902)
0.00863
1902528
(+49 from 1901)
37
(+8 from 1901)
0.01320
1901577
(+62 from 1900)
29
(-1 from 1900)
0.01141
1900639
(+117 from 1899)
30
(+12 from 1899)
0.00944
1899756
(-90 from 1898)
18
(-6 from 1898)
0.00727
1898666
(-169 from 1897)
24
(-10 from 1897)
0.00875
1897497
(+97 from 1896)
34
(+7 from 1896)
0.01369
1896594
(+64 from 1895)
27
(+5 from 1895)
0.01071
1895658
(-195 from 1894)
22
(-14 from 1894)
0.00890
1894463
(+84 from 1893)
36
(+10 from 1893)
0.01526
1893547
(+43 from 1892)
26
(+4 from 1892)
0.01154
1892590
(-107 from 1891)
22
(-6 from 1891)
0.00978
1891483
(+95 from 1890)
28
(+8 from 1890)
0.01424
1890578
(-46 from 1889)
20
(-3 from 1889)
0.00992
1889532
(-7 from 1888)
23
No change from 1888
0.01216
1888525
(+136 from 1887)
23
(+11 from 1887)
0.01214
1887661
(+167 from 1886)
12
(+4 from 1886)
0.00772
1886828
(-133 from 1885)
8
(-2 from 1885)
0.00520
1885695
(-154 from 1884)
10
(-5 from 1884)
0.00704
1884541
(+213 from 1883)
15
(+8 from 1883)
0.01090
1883754
(-120 from 1882)
7
(-2 from 1882)
0.00583
1882634
(-131 from 1881)
9
(-2 from 1881)
0.00778
1881503
(+125 from 1880)
11
(+3 from 1880)
0.01113
1880628
First SSA data recorded
8
First SSA data recorded
0.00820

American States Popularity Rankings for Leslie

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#3472021#3382022#3682023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#4832021#4172022#4622023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#9032021#6332022#6342023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#4892021#5112022#6632023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#12372020#7552021#13642023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#9952021#15342022#12102023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#8312021#7742022#7352023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#11832018#10342020#10312021

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#5132021#9572022#6732023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#6162021#5662022#6602023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#5982021#8632022#4412023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#7222017#7192019#5752022

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#9202021#7712022#12702023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#8812020#11472022#8782023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#5362021#7322022#8052023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#5902015#9162019#9052021

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#7022019#9502021#9212023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#3922021#5642022#6602023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#4542017#6942019#6062021

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#7082021#7072022#9152023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#8692021#5822022#9762023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#6622021#6642022#4982023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#5812020#7832021#5862023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#6672021#4992022#6462023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#5202019#5742020#3702021

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#4872018#4372020#5992021

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#4112015#5002017#8742023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#9272021#9362022#9172023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#8972020#9232021#7952023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#4752019#7552022#7262023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#2392017#5242018#6282020

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#3702012#6072013#4622015

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#4832017#5522019#6372021

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#6562018#6432020#6362023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2852014#2832015#2392016

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#2312019#3712020#2912022

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2922002#2412005#3772012

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#1882009#3922010#4632011

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#6042018#4172021#5432023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#3652009#2862010#2642015

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1731998#1182004#1852008

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1321989#1411992#1742003

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1581991#2071993#2592001

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1651987#1841988#2541989

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1721995#1941998#2382006

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#922002#2172005#2232007

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1981989#2631990#2131992

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1491987#1611988#1811992

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#971992#1011993#1262010

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1281990#1761991#1502002

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#871984#1371985#1171987

Popularity Rankings for Leslie in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1502000#1602001#1882002

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1831998#1881999#1762001

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#2192006#4002007#2972008

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#2222020#2832021#5002022

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2621964#3431965#2741967

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#2712020#3042021

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#3941997#4981998#6062001

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4361980#4721981#4081983

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#7362014#9282015#9622018

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#12162007#12762009#14422015

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Leslie a Name for Boys or Girls?

Leslie is a unisex name used for both boys and girls. Its origins and meanings make it a versatile choice that suits for girls.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Leslie

Leslie in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Leslie Jordan (TV Actor, 1955–2022): An American actor and writer celebrated for his roles in "Will & Grace," "American Horror Story," and "The Cool Kids."
  • Leslie Mann (Movie Actress, 1972): An American actress known for her comedic roles in films such as "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," "Knocked Up," and "This Is 40."
  • Leslie Odom Jr. (Stage Actor, 1981): An American actor, singer, and songwriter, best known for his Tony-winning role as Aaron Burr in the Broadway musical "Hamilton."
  • Leslie Bibb (Movie Actress, 1974): An American actress and model known for her roles in "Popular," "Talladega Nights," and the "Iron Man" films.
  • Leslie Caron (Movie Actress, 1931): A French-American actress and dancer renowned for her performances in "An American in Paris" and "Gigi."
  • Leslie Knope ("Parks and Recreation," 2009 TV Series): A dedicated and enthusiastic public servant in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana.
  • Leslie Burke ("Bridge to Terabithia," 2007 Film): A creative and adventurous girl who builds an imaginary world with her friend Jess.
  • Leslie Winkle ("The Big Bang Theory," 2007 TV Series): A physicist and colleague of the main characters, known for her no-nonsense attitude.
  • Leslie Shay ("Chicago Fire," 2012 TV Series): A paramedic known for her bravery and dedication to her team.
  • Leslie City (Michigan, USA): A small city in Ingham County, known for its close-knit community and historical charm, with a population of 2,290 as of the 2010 census.
  • Leslie Town (Mpumalanga, South Africa): A town in the Gert Sibande District Municipality, known for its proximity to Bethal and scenic rural landscape, with about 190 residents .
  • Leslie Village (Arkansas, USA): A quaint village in Searcy County, retaining historic charm and known for its beautiful surroundings in the Ozarks .

Similar Names to Leslie

  • Leslea
  • Leslee
  • Lesley
  • Lesly
  • Liesl
  • Lasalle
  • Laslo
  • Lisette
  • Liesel
  • Leslie-Anne

Sibling Names for Leslie

Parents Who Like the Name Leslie Also Like