Girl · 122nd of 35,406
Leslie
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
382,987
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1957
Peak Popularity Year
8,199
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Leslie stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
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 Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
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
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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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
Compare 10 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
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
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |