Lesley is a unisex given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic surname "Leeslie," which was originally an Anglicized form of the Old Norse personal name "Ljótólfr." The name Ljótólfr means "famous wolf" in Old Norse, with "ljótr" meaning "wolf" and "ólfr" meaning "wolf."
The name Lesley first appeared as a forename in Scotland during the 16th century. It was initially used primarily for boys, but by the late 19th century, it began to be used for girls as well. Today, Lesley is considered a unisex name, although it is still more commonly used for females.
In some cases, Lesley may also be considered an English or American name due to its popularity in those regions. However, its Scottish origins are widely recognized.
There do not appear to be any significant historical figures named Lesley, and there are no major holidays or events associated with the name. Its popularity has varied over time and across different countries, but it remains a relatively uncommon name worldwide. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, for example, Lesley ranked #786 for girls and #1349 for boys in 2020.
Overall, Lesley is a unique and historically significant unisex given name with Scottish origins that has been used for both boys and girls since the late 19th century. Its meaning, "famous wolf," may give it an appealing edge for parents looking for a distinctive name with a strong historical background.
The name Lesley experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years. After a slow start with only 5 births each in 1893 and 1910, it began to gain traction around 1913 with 10 births that year. The number of annual births fluctuated between 5 and 23 until 1934 when there were 23 Lesley births. After World War II, the name's popularity surged dramatically, reaching a peak in 1965 with 744 births. This high level of popularity persisted through the late 1970s and early 1980s, with over 800 Lesley births per year between 1979 and 1982. However, since the mid-1980s, the name's popularity has steadily declined, reaching an all-time low of 29 births in 2023. In total, there have been 34,232 Lesley births recorded since 1893.