Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Leslie is a name of Scottish Gaelic origin, meaning 'garden of hollies'. It evolved from a surname into a popular given name in the 19th century. The name conveys traits of friendliness and approachability and has no biblical relevance.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈlɛzli/
Origin
Scottish Gaelic
Etymology
The name Leslie is derived from a Scottish surname that originates from a place name in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, which means 'garden of hollies'.
Meaning
Garden of hollies
Language Evolution
Leslie (Scottish Gaelic), Lesleigh, Leslie (modern usage)
Historical Usage
Leslie gained popularity as a given name in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
Les, Lesley, Lezlie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Leslie is viewed as a unisex name, popular among both males and females, often associated with a friendly and approachable personality.
Famous People
Leslie Nielsen, Leslie Mann, Leslie Odom Jr.
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 8,199 peak births in 1957
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Montana
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 | 109th of 7545 | 25,312 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 129th of 6773 | 25,405 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 151st of 7552 | 38,196 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 255th of 10718 | 13,476 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 550th of 16616 | 4,916 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1489th of 24088 | 1,519 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2889th of 23106 | 504 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 663rd of 9107 | 2,116 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 321st of 9204 | 7,287 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 102nd of 12526 | 80,410 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 72nd of 19264 | 75,925 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 99th of 27321 | 51,483 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 122nd of 35406 | 44,369 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 478th of 30306 | 8,026 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
6.57% 93rd/1416 |
9.57% 132nd/1379 |
4.99% 118th/2366 |
7.71% 88th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
7.50% 116th/1546 |
7.46% 116th/1556 |
6.37% 150th/2353 |
7.43% 115th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
6.15% 137th/2227 |
5.68% 138th/2430 |
5.57% 159th/2853 |
5.26% 146th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
8.04% 236th/2937 |
8.33% 290th/3483 |
6.40% 225th/3518 |
7.79% 315th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
15.52% 572nd/3685 |
13.97% 625th/4475 |
8.91% 463rd/5194 |
10.38% 656th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
33.57% 1538th/4582 |
38.30% 1978th/5164 |
19.40% 1419th/7313 |
23.89% 1783rd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
65.76% 2620th/3984 |
69.69% 3127th/4487 |
56.49% 3854th/6822 |
53.44% 3354th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
52.19% 739th/1416 |
44.89% 619th/1379 |
26.71% 632nd/2366 |
48.60% 555th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
22.19% 343rd/1546 |
15.04% 234th/1556 |
20.40% 480th/2353 |
14.29% 221st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
5.52% 123rd/2227 |
3.62% 88th/2430 |
4.31% 123rd/2853 |
2.16% 60th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
3.03% 89th/2937 |
2.87% 100th/3483 |
1.56% 55th/3518 |
1.78% 72nd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
3.15% 116th/3685 |
3.31% 148th/4475 |
1.42% 74th/5194 |
1.42% 90th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
4.69% 215th/4582 |
4.09% 211th/5164 |
1.70% 124th/7313 |
0.75% 56th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
17.22% 686th/3984 |
11.95% 536th/4487 |
7.05% 481st/6822 |
5.42% 340th/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 Montana 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 gradually declining. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, falling for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, falling 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, falling for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too rising for female in South, stalled for male in West, too rising for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 109th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 129th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 151st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 255th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 550th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1489th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2889th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 663rd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 321st out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 102nd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 72nd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 99th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 122nd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 478th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.