Holding steady, #7,194 for boys today.
Popularity of Les since 1900
Babies named Les per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 34 |
| 1920s | 71 |
| 1930s | 152 |
| 1940s | 549 |
| 1950s | 790 |
| 1960s | 1,072 |
| 1970s | 307 |
| 1980s | 183 |
| 1990s | 75 |
| 2000s | 70 |
| 2010s | 95 |
| 2020s | 45 |
Meaning & origin
Les is a masculine given name that functions primarily as a diminutive of Leslie or Lester. The name first appeared on U.S. records in 1900, and by 1961 it reached its peak popularity, ranking highest in use during the 1960s. In the latest year, 2025, Les ranks at 7,194, with 1 in 155,280 newborn boys given the name. It is a straightforward, one-syllable name that carries the heritage of its longer forms without any of their formality. Les remains a stable presence in the baby name landscape, neither surging nor fading dramatically, and is recognized for its classic simplicity.
Les is primarily a diminutive of the name Leslie, which originated from a Scottish surname derived from the place name Leslie in Aberdeenshire. The place name itself likely comes from Gaelic elements meaning 'garden of holly' or 'gray fortress'. It can also be a short form of Lester, an English surname from Leicester. As an independent given name, Les gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in the United States.
Sibling names for Les
Names that share Les's style, for a brother or sister.
