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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Leslie — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Lesli|Lesly
Scottish◈ Unisex · 48% boy · 52% girl↑ Rising

◈= unisex (gender-neutral)

Leslie

◈

LEZ-lee · 2 syllables

Share Leslie:
Compare with another name
Girl
#605
↑ Rising
Girl
#605
Popularity score: 35
↑ Rising
Peak
#596 in 2020
5yr
+65 ranks
Velocity
+65
Birth frequency
1.4 per 10,000 births
Boy
#3016
Popularity score: 19
↑ Rising
Peak
#3016 in 2024
5yr
+76 ranks
Velocity
+76
Birth frequency
1.1 per 100,000 births

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

BOY
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #3016 · Rising since 2020

All US boy names
Top 200 boy names
Scottish boy names
Leslie

Popularity score: 19  ·  SSA Rank: #3016

GIRL
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #605 · Falling since 2020

All US girl names
Top 200 girl names
Scottish girl names
Leslie

Popularity score: 35  ·  SSA Rank: #605

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
76
Higher than 76% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
↑ Rising
+65 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Limited
.com taken · — · clear
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
65
1 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class

Leslie scores well on trend momentum but there are tradeoffs — domain availability is limited.

Meaning Depth37% of score
60
Name Trend28% of score
74
Uniqueness20% of score
65
Feasibility15% of score
50

Scores are percentile-ranked across 43,000+ names.

Name DNA
ScottishGaelicUnisexNaturePlace nameGarden2-syllableClassicVintage appeal
Character
grounded in nature
People with this name

Qualities shared by notable Leslies

charismaticversatileauthenticwittytalented
STRONG
High confidence

Leslie is a Scottish unisex name with upward momentum in SSA rankings. It ranked #605 in the US in 2024.

Trend:↑ Rising · +65 ranks
Feasibility:.com taken · — · clear
Popularity:#605 · rare
Leslie at a Glance
Meaning:From the Scottish Gaelic 'leas-ach,' meaning garden or meadow. Originally a place name in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, denoting a dwelling by a garden or courtyard.
Language root:Old Gaelic · Scottish Gaelic
Peak rank:#596 in 2020
5yr change:+65 ranks
Sex usage:Girl #605 · Boy #3016
Notable bearers
Leslie Jordan
Actor, comedian
Leslie Odom Jr.
Actor, singer, Hamilton cast
Leslie Cheung
Hong Kong actor, singer
Leslie Mann
Actress
Leslie Jones
Comedian, actress, SNL cast member
Leslie Caron
Actress, dancer
Similar Sound
LesleyLeighton◈Lindsey◈Linden◈Logan◈Loren◈
Similar Style
Rowan◈Finley◈Morgan◈Casey◈Devon◈Avery◈
Works well with
Rowan◈Sage◈Quinn◈Reese◈Blair◈Parker◈Darcy◈Phoenix◈
You Might Also Like
Morgan◈
Celtic · #276
→ Stable
Avery◈
English · #31
→ Stable
Isla
Scottish · #35
→ Stable
Lainey
Scottish · #38
→ Stable
Paisley
Scottish · #61
→ Stable
Elsie
Scottish · #155
→ Stable
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Leslie illustration
Name Intelligence
Leslie · Overview
Summary

Leslie is a Scottish unisex name with upward momentum in SSA rankings. It ranked #605 in the US in 2024.

Search interest: 21/100 → Stable

Strengths
Strong fundamentals
Leslie scores 76/100 on the Namesake scale — meaning, origin, and trend all contribute positively.
Rising steadily
Rank has moved 65 positions in the last year. Consistent upward trajectory.
Works for any sex
48% boy · 52% girl. A genuinely unisex name is rare at this level of distinctiveness.
Nature · Classic character
Leslie carries a grounded, cool quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Domain taken
leslie.com is not available. Alternative TLDs may work.
Explore

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Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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