Lesley
From a placename in Aberdeenshire, originally Lesslyn, Scottish Gaelic lios cuileann (“garden of hollies”).
Every Lesley since 1882 — 39,098 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Lesley
Lesley is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #4,617 in 2025 with 30 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1882, 39,098 American babies have been named Lesley — about 88% girls and 12% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1980, when 981 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Lesley stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Lesley year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 30 | #4,617 | — | — |
| 2024 | 36 | #4,085 | — | — |
| 2023 | 29 | #4,706 | — | — |
| 2022 | 51 | #3,196 | — | — |
| 2021 | 40 | #3,774 | — | — |
| 2020 | 51 | #3,124 | — | — |
| 2019 | 51 | #3,149 | — | — |
| 2018 | 62 | #2,770 | — | — |
| 2017 | 52 | #3,119 | — | — |
| 2016 | 76 | #2,438 | 8 | #9,359 |
| 2015 | 96 | #2,050 | 6 | #11,550 |
| 2014 | 113 | #1,814 | — | — |
| 2013 | 120 | #1,735 | — | — |
| 2012 | 131 | #1,642 | — | — |
| 2011 | 175 | #1,330 | 7 | #10,323 |
| 2010 | 219 | #1,123 | 7 | #10,328 |
| 2009 | 223 | #1,137 | 10 | #8,067 |
| 2008 | 254 | #1,033 | 5 | #13,777 |
| 2007 | 353 | #815 | 7 | #10,448 |
| 2006 | 371 | #744 | 12 | #6,734 |
| 2005 | 382 | #716 | 8 | #8,785 |
| 2004 | 451 | #610 | 9 | #7,929 |
| 2003 | 452 | #604 | 12 | #6,104 |
| 2002 | 471 | #564 | 11 | #6,353 |
| 2001 | 509 | #524 | 9 | #7,270 |
| 2000 | 658 | #430 | 17 | #4,496 |
| 1995 | 276 | #741 | 10 | #5,750 |
| 1990 | 440 | #541 | 26 | #2,589 |
| 1985 | 565 | #401 | 26 | #2,154 |
| 1980 | 928 | #269 | 53 | #1,282 |
| 1975 | 714 | #321 | 56 | #1,132 |
| 1970 | 766 | #342 | 75 | #924 |
| 1965 | 744 | #330 | 95 | #761 |
| 1960 | 244 | #647 | 76 | #873 |
| 1955 | 333 | #506 | 69 | #896 |
| 1950 | 254 | #510 | 64 | #860 |
| 1945 | 129 | #644 | 48 | #933 |
| 1940 | 32 | #1,331 | 57 | #834 |
| 1935 | 28 | #1,404 | 37 | #1,070 |
| 1930 | 8 | #3,515 | 40 | #1,101 |
| 1925 | 14 | #2,556 | 53 | #927 |
| 1920 | 15 | #2,416 | 50 | #980 |
| 1915 | 10 | #2,812 | 27 | #1,290 |
| 1910 | 5 | #2,610 | 12 | #966 |
| 1905 | — | — | 10 | #821 |
| 1900 | — | — | 10 | #879 |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Lesley
- Lesley Gore Actor · 1946–2015
- Lesley Ann Warren Actor · b. 1946
- Lesley Manville Actor · b. 1956
- Lesley Turner Bowrey Tennis player · b. 1942
- Lesley Sharp Actor · b. 1960
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lesley mean?
From a placename in Aberdeenshire, originally Lesslyn, Scottish Gaelic lios cuileann (“garden of hollies”).
How popular is the name Lesley in 2025?
Lesley ranked #4,617 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 30 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Lesley?
39,098 babies have been named Lesley in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Lesley most popular?
Lesley peaked in 1980, when 981 newborns received the name.
Is Lesley a boy or girl name?
Lesley is used for both: about 88% of babies named Lesley have been girls and 12% boys.
Is the name Lesley rising or falling?
Lesley is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Lesley?
Well-known people named Lesley include Lesley Gore (actor), Lesley Ann Warren (actor), Lesley Manville (actor).