The name Leslie is of Scottish origin and is a gender-neutral given name. It is derived from the Old French word "Lais" which means "garden" or "laurel," and was originally used as a surname before becoming a popular given name in the 19th century.
The name Leslie gained popularity during the Victorian era, particularly among the British aristocracy, and has since been associated with elegance and sophistication. It is often considered to be a unisex name, although it has traditionally been more common for females than males.
Some notable people who have borne the name Leslie include American actress Leslie Nielsen, known for his comedic roles in films such as "Airplane!" and "The Naked Gun" series; British author Leslie Charteris, creator of the popular Simon Templar character; and Australian singer-songwriter Leslie Harvey, a member of the progressive rock band Eloy.
Overall, the name Leslie has a rich history and has been carried by many notable individuals throughout the years. Its Scottish origins and elegant connotations make it a timeless choice for parents looking for a unique and distinctive name for their child.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Leslie has seen a significant shift in popularity over time in the United States.
From 1880 to 1912, the number of births with the name Leslie increased steadily, reaching a peak of 693 births in 1912. This trend continued through the early 1920s, with a total of 1544 births in 1922 being the highest during this period.
However, from the mid-1920s onwards, there was a notable decline in the popularity of the name Leslie. The number of births decreased significantly, dropping below 300 by the late 1950s and continuing to fall throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
From the 1980s onwards, the popularity of the name Leslie fluctuated but remained relatively low. The highest number of births with this name in this period was 431 in 1982, while the lowest was just 26 births in 2020.
Overall, despite some fluctuations, the name Leslie has seen a general decline in popularity over time in the United States, with fewer than 50 births recorded each year since the early 2000s. As of 2023, there have been a total of 112916 births with the name Leslie in the United States since records began in 1880.