Leslie

Pronunciation: [ l-EHSL-ee ]

Boy Name #3,003 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A noble Scottish name that bravely bucks the gender tide

Scottish English American

Vintage Classic Sophisticated Literary Strong

Meaning & Origin

"garden of hollies, holly garden"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic

Language: English

"grey fortress, grey stronghold"

Origin: Pictish/Scottish

Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

Leslie has largely crossed over to a female name in the US — male Leslies may face assumptions about their gender from the name alone

The Story of Leslie

Leslie comes from a Scottish place name and clan name, from lands in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The name is thought to derive from the Gaelic 'leas cuilinn' meaning 'garden of hollies' or possibly a Pictish origin meaning 'grey fortress.' The Leslie family became one of Scotland's notable noble clans after Norman origins settled in Scotland in the 12th century. As a given name, Leslie was originally and remains distinctly masculine in Scotland.

Leslie was a solidly masculine name in Britain and America through the mid-20th century. After the 1950s, it increasingly crossed to feminine use in the US, following names like Lynn, Beverly, and Dana. By the 1980s, it was predominantly female in American usage, which has made male Leslie increasingly rare.

In Scotland, Leslie remains recognized as a masculine name with aristocratic clan associations. The gender shift in America is a fascinating sociolinguistic phenomenon — the name's soft sound led to its feminization despite its historically male origins.

Fun Facts

Leslie Howard, the British actor who played Ashley Wilkes in Gone with the Wind (1939), was one of the 20th century's most famous male Leslies
Leslie Knope of Parks and Recreation restored some masculine history to the name, even as a female character
The Leslie clan of Scotland has its ancestral seat at Leslie House in Fife, dating to the 17th century

Leslie in Other Languages

French Leslie

German Leslie

Spanish Leslie

Scottish Gaelic Leas Cuilinn

Famous People Named Leslie

Leslie Nielsen

Actor

1926

Canadian-American actor famous for comedic roles in Airplane! and The Naked Gun series

Leslie Howard

Actor

1893

British actor who played Ashley Wilkes in Gone with the Wind (1939) and was a major Hollywood star of the 1930s

Leslie Knope (Parks and Recreation) Fictional

Other

Beloved fictional Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation in Pawnee, Indiana, played by Amy Poehler

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #3,003
Total SSA Count: 41
Cultural Origins: Scottish English American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Les

Pairs Well With

Leslie James Leslie Andrew Leslie Scott Leslie David Leslie Alan Leslie Roy

Sibling Names

Gordon Alastair Douglas Fiona Muriel Morag

Also a Girl Name

Leslie is also used as a girl name, ranked #604.

View Leslie as a girl name →

Similar Names

Leslie Wesley Presley Westley Wesley Lesly Weslie Paisley

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Leslie

What does the name Leslie mean?

"garden of hollies, holly garden" (from Scottish Gaelic). "grey fortress, grey stronghold" (from Pictish/Scottish). Leslie comes from a Scottish place name and clan name, from lands in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The name is thought to derive from the Gaelic 'leas cuilinn' meaning 'garden of hollies' or possibly a Pictish origin meaning 'grey fortress.' The Leslie family became one of Scotland's notable noble clans after Norman origins settled in Scotland in the 12th century. As a given name, Leslie was originally and remains distinctly masculine in Scotland.

What is the origin of the name Leslie?

Leslie has Scottish Gaelic, Pictish/Scottish, Scottish, English, and American origins. In Scottish Gaelic, it means "garden of hollies, holly garden". In Pictish/Scottish, it means "grey fortress, grey stronghold".

Is Leslie a boy or girl name?

Leslie is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #3003. As a girl name, it is ranked #604. Leslie is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Leslie?

Leslie is pronounced l-EHSL-ee.

How popular is the name Leslie?

Leslie is currently ranked #3003 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Leslie?

Common nicknames for Leslie include Les.

What are good middle names for Leslie?

Popular middle name pairings include Leslie James, Leslie Andrew, Leslie Scott, Leslie David, Leslie Alan, and Leslie Roy.

What are good sibling names for Leslie?

Names that pair well with Leslie as siblings include Gordon, Alastair, Douglas, Fiona, Muriel, and Morag.

How many syllables does Leslie have?

Leslie has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Leslie a common or rare name?

Leslie is an uncommon name, ranked #3003 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Leslie

Leslie is a boy name with Scottish, English, and American origins . The name means "garden of hollies, holly garden" in Scottish Gaelic .

Is Leslie a boy or girl name? Leslie is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #3,003 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #604. Leslie is more commonly used as a girl name.

Leslie is currently ranked #3,003 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Leslie has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-EHSL-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Leslie include Les. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.