Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Lesley has Scottish origins, meaning 'garden' or 'meadow'. It evolved from the surname Leslie and gained popularity in the 19th century. It is often associated with charm and sophistication in the modern era. There is no significant biblical relevance.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈlɛzli/
Origin
Scottish
Etymology
The name Lesley is derived from a Scottish surname, which comes from a place name in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The place name is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word 'leas' meaning 'garden' or 'meadow' and 'ley' meaning 'field'.
Meaning
Garden, meadow
Language Evolution
Leslie, Lesleigh, Lesley
Historical Usage
Lesley gained popularity as a given name in the 19th century, particularly in Scotland and later spread to other English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
Leslie, Lesleigh, Lee
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Lesley is often perceived as a classic and feminine name, though it is used for both genders. It carries connotations of charm and sophistication.
Famous People
Lesley Gore, Lesley Manville, Lesley Sharp
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 981 peak births in 1980
Geographic Spread
Popular across 50 US states, with strongest presence in California
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (10 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 10 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1056th of 7545 | 696 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 978th of 6773 | 800 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 842nd of 7552 | 1,491 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 967th of 10718 | 1,128 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2249th of 16616 | 465 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 6812th of 24088 | 165 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 18398th of 23106 | 14 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 3058th of 9107 | 159 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1140th of 9204 | 780 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 546th of 12526 | 5,582 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 324th of 19264 | 12,207 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 470th of 27321 | 8,112 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 667th of 35406 | 6,651 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2692nd of 30306 | 776 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
41.67% 986th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
73.67% 1139th/1546 |
- |
44.37% 1044th/2353 |
73.11% 1131st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
41.40% 922nd/2227 |
47.98% 1166th/2430 |
30.88% 881st/2853 |
34.05% 945th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
41.57% 1221st/2937 |
50.82% 1770th/3483 |
23.48% 826th/3518 |
40.01% 1618th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
37.58% 1952nd/5194 |
55.42% 3501st/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
65.06% 4758th/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
62.74% 970th/1546 |
39.59% 616th/1556 |
- |
52.23% 808th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
24.02% 535th/2227 |
15.56% 378th/2430 |
30.46% 869th/2853 |
18.02% 500th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
10.25% 301st/2937 |
9.91% 345th/3483 |
8.30% 292nd/3518 |
10.04% 406th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
12.43% 458th/3685 |
12.49% 559th/4475 |
7.51% 390th/5194 |
8.42% 532nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
21.82% 1000th/4582 |
17.31% 894th/5164 |
9.56% 699th/7313 |
6.20% 463rd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
88.13% 3511th/3984 |
54.20% 2432nd/4487 |
40.81% 2784th/6822 |
30.72% 1928th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in California across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1056th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 978th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 842nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 967th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2249th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 6812th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 18398th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3058th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1140th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 546th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 324th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 470th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 667th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2692nd out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.