"garden of holly"
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Language: English
Lesly
Does Lesly flow with your last name?
A Scottish clan name with quiet, lasting elegance
American
Scottish
British
Spanish
Classic
Vintage
Elegant
Gentle
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Meaning & Origin
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The Story of Lesly
Lesly is an alternate spelling of Leslie, which originates from a Scottish place name — Leslie is a parish in Fife, Scotland. The place name likely derives from the Gaelic 'lios liath' meaning grey fortress, or possibly from an element meaning garden of holly. The Leslie clan was a powerful Scottish noble family, and the surname eventually became a given name adopted for both boys and girls.
Leslie/Lesley was a popular girl's name in the US from the 1940s through the 1970s, peaking around 1960. The alternate 'Lesly' spelling emerged from parents wanting a distinctive twist on the classic. The name has declined as newer names took its place.
In Scotland, Leslie is still primarily a masculine name tied to the noble Leslie clan. In North America, it shifted predominantly feminine in the 20th century. The name Lesley was common among baby boomer women, making it feel distinctly of that era today.
Historical Record
Lesly first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 15,053 babies have been named Lesly in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Lesly is past its peak , currently ranked #1,102 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- In Scotland, Leslie is still predominantly a male name, while in America it shifted feminine
- The Leslie clan motto is 'Grip Fast', tracing back to a legend of King Malcolm III
- Leslie Howard, who played Ashley Wilkes in Gone with the Wind, made the name internationally known as male
Lesly in Other Languages
French
Lesley
German
Leslie
Spanish
Lesly
Portuguese
Leslie
Scottish Gaelic
Liosliath
Popularity Over Time
#1,102
Current Rank
Peaked 2003
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Lesly
L
Lesley Gore
Musician
1946
American singer known for 'It's My Party' (1963), one of the most recognizable songs of the early 1960s
L
Leslie Nielsen
Actor
1926
Canadian-American actor famous for comedic roles in Airplane! and The Naked Gun series
L
Leslie Knope Fictional
Other
Fictional optimistic deputy director played by Amy Poehler in the TV series Parks and Recreation
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,102
- Total SSA Count
- 222
- Cultural Origins
- American Scottish British Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Les
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Scottish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Lesly
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Lesly is also used as a boy name, ranked #38618.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lesly
What does the name Lesly mean?
"garden of holly" (from Scottish Gaelic). Lesly is an alternate spelling of Leslie, which originates from a Scottish place name — Leslie is a parish in Fife, Scotland. The place name likely derives from the Gaelic 'lios liath' meaning grey fortress, or possibly from an element meaning garden of holly. The Leslie clan was a powerful Scottish noble family, and the surname eventually became a given name adopted for both boys and girls.
What is the origin of the name Lesly?
Lesly has Scottish Gaelic, American, Scottish, British, and Spanish origins. In Scottish Gaelic, it means "garden of holly".
Is Lesly a boy or girl name?
Lesly is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1102. As a boy name, it is ranked #38618. Lesly is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Lesly?
Lesly is currently ranked #1102 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Lesly?
Common nicknames for Lesly include Les.
What are good middle names for Lesly?
Popular middle name pairings include Lesly Ann, Lesly Marie, Lesly Grace, Lesly Diane, Lesly Jo, Lesly Rene, and Lesly Kay.
What are good sibling names for Lesly?
Names that pair well with Lesly as siblings include Donna, Sandra, Gary, Terry, Cheryl, Dennis, and Brenda.
How many syllables does Lesly have?
Lesly has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Lesly a common or rare name?
Lesly is an uncommon name, ranked #1102 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Lesly?
About the Name Lesly
Lesly is a girl name with American, Scottish, British, and Spanish origins . The name means "garden of holly" in Scottish Gaelic .
Is Lesly a boy or girl name? Lesly is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,102 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #38,618. Lesly is more commonly used as a girl name.
Lesly is currently ranked #1,102 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Lesly has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Lesly include Les. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Lesly include Leslie, Lesley . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis