English

Alternative forms

• Lesley

Proper noun

Leslie

1. A Scottish surname​.
2. A male given name derived from the surname.
3. A female given name, of mostly American usage.
   • 2010 Kate Atkinson, Started Early, took My Dog, Doubleday, ISBN 9780385608022, page 19:

     'Leslie with an "ie",' she had to tell everyone in England because they spelt it with a 'y'. 'Really?' Dominic's mother said, as if Leslie herself was a spelling mistake.

Usage notes

• The male name was popular in the U.K. during the first half of the 20th century.
• The female given name is usually spelled Lesley in the U.K.

Translations

French

Alternative forms

• Lesly

Etymology

Borrowed from English. By folk etymology confused with Liesel, Liesl, German pet forms of Elisabeth.

Proper noun

Leslie

1. A female given name, popular in the 1980s and the 1990s.

Scots

Proper noun

Leslie

1. A Scottish surname meaning "garden of hollies".
2. A male or female given name transferred from the surname.