Leslie is a gender-neutral given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish surname Leslie, which is of Norman origin and means "from the garden of Leith". The name Leith itself refers to a town in Scotland where the Leslie family had lands.
The name Leslie first appeared as a given name in the 18th century, but it became more popular in the late Victorian era. It was often used for boys at that time, but today it is considered unisex and can be given to children of either gender.
Some famous people with the name Leslie include:
* Leslie Howard (1893-1943), a British actor who appeared in films such as "Gone with the Wind" and "The Scarlet Pimpernel".
* Leslie Nielsen (1926-2010), a Canadian-American actor known for his comedic roles in films like "Airplane!" and "The Naked Gun" series.
* Leslie Caron (born 1931), a French actress and dancer who starred in films such as "An American in Paris" and "Gigi".
Overall, the name Leslie has a rich history and a unique meaning that makes it an attractive choice for parents looking for a distinctive yet classic name for their child.
The name Leslie experienced significant popularity fluctuations over time. Starting from the late 1800s with fewer than 15 births per year, it peaked dramatically during World War II, reaching a high of 2,540 births in 1952. Post-war, Leslie's popularity declined steadily, with fewer than 500 births annually since the mid-1970s. Since 2010, there have been fewer than 1,000 Leslie births per year, with a total of 439 in 2023.