Leslie is a name of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "Leith-cuilidh," which means "garden of peace." It is traditionally considered to be a male name, although it has been used for both boys and girls in recent years.
The name Leslie first appeared in Scotland as a surname, given to people who lived near a garden or enclosure. Over time, it began to be used as a personal name as well, particularly among the Scottish nobility.
In the Middle Ages, the Leslie clan became one of the most powerful families in Scotland, with many members holding important positions in the government and military. The most famous member of the Leslie family was John Leslie, who served as Archbishop of Glasgow and was known for his opposition to the Protestant Reformation.
Today, Leslie is still a popular name in Scotland and other parts of the world, although it is more commonly used as a female name than it was in the past. It has also been used by several notable people throughout history, including the American actress Leslie Caron and the British writer Leslie Charteris.
The statistics provided show the annual occurrences of the name Leslie in the United States from 1958 to 1982. During this period, there were a total of 57 babies named Leslie. The peak year for the name was 1982, with 10 births recorded that year. The other years had fewer occurrences: five births each in 1958, 1961, 1965, 1967, 1975, and 1980; six births in both 1968 and 1973.