Leslie

Leslie is an English first name that is used for both women and men. Its roots lie in a Scottish clan, and the name originally comes from the place 'Lesslyn' in Aberdeenshire. Figuratively, it is often associated with 'the holly garden' as well as 'from the green meadow'.

What does the name Leslie mean?

The name Leslie has its origins in Old Irish and is composed of the elements leas, meaning 'garden', and cuilenn or celyn for 'holly'. Originally, Leslie was used as a first name for boys and girls in the 19th century, being more frequently used for boys in England and Scotland and more for girls in America. Alternative spellings include Lesley, Lesly, Lessie, and Lesleigh.

Where does the name Leslie come from?

The name Leslie comes from Old Irish and stands for 'the holly garden'.

How do you pronounce Leslie?

The name Leslie is pronounced in two syllables and has a flowing sound connection. In the German pronunciation, it is usually rendered as 'Les-lie' [ˈlɛsli], with the first syllable starting clearly and openly. The voiced 'l' in the second syllable connects smoothly and without interruption. The high closing vowel allows the name to fade lightly and unobtrusively, making Leslie modern and uncomplicated – neutral in sound but still present.

Popularity

In Germany, Leslie is a relatively common first name, currently ranking 4,045th on the list of most popular female baby names. The name achieved its best ranking in 2010 at 1,015th place. Over the last ten years, Leslie has been given as a first name about 80 times, placing it 2,917th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks overall at 2,464th.

Nicknames & pet names

Lee / Lele / Lelie / Lelitschka / Les / Leslo / Lespes / Ley

Similar first names

Famous people

• Bertrand Leslie Shurtleff (American footballer)
• Frederick Leslie Fowell (English television presenter)
• Lesley Gore (singer and songwriter)
• Leslie A Lyons (geneticist from the USA)
• Leslie Balcombe (English football player)
• Leslie Bevis (American actress)
• Leslie Bibb (American actress)
• Leslie Brody (American writer)
• Leslie Caron (actress)
• Leslie Carter (US singer)
• Leslie Chow (character from the 'Hangover' series)
• Leslie Claire Margaret Caron (French dancer & actress)
• Leslie Clio (singer)
• Leslie Cole (artist from England)
• Leslie Edgley (American writer)
• Leslie Eileen Easterbrook (American actress)
• Leslie Esdaile Banks (writer from America)
• Leslie Feinberg (US author and trans activist)
• Leslie Feist (singer)
• Leslie Fish (American musician)