"garden of hollies, holly garden"
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Language: English
Leslie
Pronunciation: [ l-EHSL-ee ]
Does Leslie flow with your last name?
A noble Scottish name that bravely bucks the gender tide
Scottish
English
American
Vintage
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Sophisticated
Literary
Strong
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Meaning & Origin
"grey fortress, grey stronghold"
Origin: Pictish/Scottish
Language: English
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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.
Historical Record
Leslie first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 49,746 babies have been named Leslie in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Leslie is past its peak , currently ranked #3,003 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#3,003
Current Rank
Peaked 1951
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Leslie
L
Leslie Nielsen
Actor
1926
Canadian-American actor famous for comedic roles in Airplane! and The Naked Gun series
L
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
L
Leslie Knope (Parks and Recreation) Fictional
Other
Beloved fictional Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation in Pawnee, Indiana, played by Amy Poehler
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See all →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
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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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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, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Leslie
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Leslie is also used as a girl name, ranked #604.
View Leslie as a girl name →Similar Names
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Compare Leslie with...
Same Origin Names (Scottish)
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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.
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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