Leslie sits next to 3 phonetic neighbors — Lesley, Wesley, and Bexley are the closest matches by sound. Most share Leslie's Scottish cluster, so the rhythm and vowel shape carry across the list.
You searched for names like
"garden of hollies, holly garden"
"ancient, enduring"
"crowned one"
"companion, close friend"
"divine peace, God's peace"
"cloth merchant, fabric trader"
"valley dweller"
"maiden"
"strength, power"
"bringer of light, luminous"
"rough, fierce (diminutive)"
"fertile valley dweller"
"noble friend"
"payment, brow, forehead"
"growth, abundance, increase"
"little fire, flame"
"supplanter"
"creative modern name"
"sun ray, luminous"
"baker"
"just, righteous"
Similar sound: These names share phonetic patterns with Leslie — similar vowel sounds, consonant clusters, or rhythm.
Shared roots: Several names on this list have Scottish Gaelic origins, giving them the same cultural heritage as Leslie.
Rhythm: Leslie is a 2-syllable name. Names with the same syllable count tend to feel interchangeable when you're narrowing your list.