Leslie
Origin of the name Leslie:
Transferred use of the Scottish surname taken from Lesslyn, a place-name in Aberdeenshire. The name might be derived from the Gaelic elements lios (enclosure, garden, fort) and chuilinn (a holly tree) or liath (gray): hence, "garden of hollies" or "the gray fort." The name, borne by a well-known Scottish clan, was not in common use as a personal name until late in the 19th century.
From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman. Buy the bookDoes Leslie sound...
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Reader Contributions
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- Comments and insights on the name Leslie: | Edit
Unisex name. Mainly used only for girls in the U.S. today.
- Personal experiences with the name Leslie: | Edit
My family pronounced my name Leslie, I prefer & wished my name had been pronounced Lezlie. Sounds more feminine, interesting-- maybe even sexy. Then I would like my name. I realized this late in life. Sometimes someone will call me Lezlie & I love it. Also I would have preferred the spelling Lesley--more feminine.
I had a different experience. My family pronounced my name Leslie, but teachers often defaulted to pronouncing it Lezlie. I prefer Leslie, because I think the Z sound is harsh. I also like the spelling Leslie because it is unique.
Hi my name is Lezly. I love it. I have never met one other person with the same spelling. Im glad it wasnt spelled with a s because i think it sounds like a boys name. I always have to spell it to everyone but thats ok with me
- Nicknames for Leslie: | Edit
Les, Lessie, Lez
- Meanings and history of the name Leslie: | Edit
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- Famous real-life people named Leslie: | Edit
Leslie Caron, actress
Leslie Gore, singer
Leslie Bibb, actress
Leslie Blodgett, Bare Escentuals CEO and cosmetics entreprenuer- Leslie in song, story & screen: | Edit
Leslie Burk from Bridge To Terabithia
"Leslie Moore," character in Anne's House of Dreams by Lucy Maud Montgomery (and subsequent books)
"Leslie Anne Levine" song by the Decemberists
From song "Summer in the City" by the Loving Spoonful--my friends always thought they sang "You and me and Leslie" instead of "You and me endlessly" worked/works for me--Leslie Lowrey
Robert Frost's "Last Word of the Bluebird" "... tell Lesley (will you?)That her little Bluebird" Frost's daughter was named Lesley
Leslie Caron--musicals "American in Paris" with Gene Kelly; "Gigi" with Maurice Chelvalier & many stage/screen movies.Orig.French Ballerina
Lesley Anne Warren-actress-stage/screen/tv-1965 TV musical "Cinderella"
NameVoyager US Popularity of Leslie Over Time
NameMapper Current Popularity of Leslie by State
Global Popularity of the Name Leslie
- #147 in United States
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