Leslye

Meaning & origin

Leslye is a feminine spelling variant of Leslie, a name with deep Scottish roots. First recorded in U.S. data in 1920, Leslye reached its peak rank in 2002, the year it was most popular. Since 2002, its usage has been falling, and as of 2025 the name no longer appears in the top 1,000, with no current ranking or 1-in-N frequency available. Unlike the more common spellings Leslie and Lesley, Leslye remains rare, offering a distinctive alternative without straying far from the familiar. The name was never heavily concentrated in any particular state, appearing in low numbers across the country. Parents drawn to Leslye often appreciate soft surnames turned first names with a touch of Scottish heritage.

Leslye is a variant spelling of Leslie, which originated as a Scottish surname from the barony of Leslie in Aberdeenshire. The place name is thought to derive from the Gaelic elements "leas" (garden) and "liath" (gray), or "leas" (garden) and "lè" (halt, shelter). By the 19th century, Leslie became common as a given name for both sexes, with spellings such as Lesley and Leslye emerging as feminine variants.