Declining since 2002, #1,443 for girls today.
Popularity of Lesly since 1936
Babies named Lesly per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 16 |
| 1940s | 62 |
| 1950s | 157 |
| 1960s | 331 |
| 1970s | 227 |
| 1980s | 437 |
| 1990s | 2,729 |
| 2000s | 7,454 |
| 2010s | 2,850 |
| 2020s | 1,018 |
Meaning & origin
Lesly first appeared on the U.S. Social Security list in 1936 and has primarily been given to girls. It reached its peak rank of 1,443 in 2003, but has been steadily declining in use since 2002. In 2025, the name was given to roughly 1 in every 10,787 girls, making it an uncommon but recognizable choice. The variant spelling Lesly is less popular than the more traditional Leslie, which itself has seen broader ups and downs over the decades. Top states for the name include Maryland, Virginia, and Tennessee, suggesting a concentration in the Mid-Atlantic and South. The name has a straightforward pronunciation and a classic, feminine feel, though its long-term trajectory points to continued decline in the near future.
Lesly is a variant spelling of Lesley or Leslie, which originates from a Scottish place name, likely from the Gaelic leas celyn, meaning 'garden of holly'. The name was traditionally masculine but has become more common for girls in the United States since the mid-20th century. The spelling with a 'y' is less common than Leslie or Lesley.
Where Lesly is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Lesly” around the world
Where Lesly lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Les
Sibling names for Lesly
Names that share Lesly's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Lesly
Names whose popularity has moved with Lesly's over the last 50 years.
