Lesly

Girl Name #1,102 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A Scottish clan name with quiet, lasting elegance

American Scottish British Spanish

Classic Vintage Elegant Gentle

Meaning & Origin

"garden of holly"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Lesly

Lesley Gore

Musician

1946

American singer known for 'It's My Party' (1963), one of the most recognizable songs of the early 1960s

Leslie Nielsen

Actor

1926

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

Leslie Knope Fictional

Other

Fictional optimistic deputy director played by Amy Poehler in the TV series Parks and Recreation

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

Leslie #604 Lesley #4093

Common Nicknames

Les

Pairs Well With

Lesly Ann Lesly Marie Lesly Grace Lesly Diane Lesly Jo Lesly Rene Lesly Kay

Sibling Names

Donna Sandra Gary Terry Cheryl Dennis Brenda

Also a Boy Name

Lesly is also used as a boy name, ranked #38618.

View Lesly as a boy name →

Similar Names

Leslie Wesley Leslie Rodney Dempsey Westley Wesley Quincy

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Lesly and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Lesly sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name

Browse more girl names →

Explore More Generators

🧝 Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
🐾 Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
🎭 Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres

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.

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.