How Many People Are Named Lesley?

Complete statistics for the name Lesley: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.

Lesley
Very Rare
Scottish

Lesley has a classic yet modern feel. About 34,459 people are named Lesley in the US today, making it so rare that only 1 in 9,576 Americans shares this name. It peaked in 1980 with 981 births that year.

~2,733
Living in US
1 in 121,277
Americans
1980
Peak Year

📖 Meaning & Origin

💬
Meaning
From the holly garden place
🌐
Origin
Scottish
🌟
Lucky Day
Friday
💎
Lucky Stone
Emerald
🔢
Numerology
Life Path 6
Personality Traits
Warm Thoughtful Independent Resilient
6
Life Path Number

Life path number 6 is traditionally associated with nurturing, responsibility, and a deep sense of care for others. People connected to 6 are often seen as natural helpers who find purpose in supporting family and community.

🌍 Worldwide Usage

34,459
Worldwide Bearers
#4,039
Global Rank
🇬🇭 Ghana
1,966
🇵🇭 Philippines
1,745
🇰🇪 Kenya
1,516
🇧🇪 Belgium
1,493
🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea
1,270
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
1,145
🇮🇪 Ireland
927
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
898
🇧🇷 Brazil
884
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
816

⚥ Gender Distribution

♂ Male
2,857 (8%)
♀ Female
31,603 (92%)

📊 Births by Age Group

Avg Cohort Age: 50
7,606
Would be under 30 (19%)
21,073
Would be 30–60 (54%)
10,391
Would be over 60 (27%)

All 39,070 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).

📈 Popularity Over Time

Peak: 1980

Annual US births from SSA records  ·  Trend: Declining

🏆 Name Scorecard

Popularity
99
Classic Feel
57
Modern Appeal
43
International
5

Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency

📜 Lesley Through the Generations

The name Lesley has a rich history, evolving from a classic choice to something more contemporary. With 39,070 total births across all time, but only 34,459 people currently living with the name, it's clear that many who were born with it have passed away. This gap is significant, especially considering the peak year of 1980 when 981 babies were named Lesley. The age distribution shows a fairly even spread, with 19% under 30, 54% aged 30-60, and 27% over 60. This suggests a mix of younger and older generations, with a notable presence among those in their 30s and 40s. The trend is declining, which is somewhat surprising given the strong peak in the 1980s. Overall, Lesley remains a distinctive name with a unique demographic profile.

📍 State Distribution (Top 10)

California 5,168
Texas 3,723
New York 2,541
Illinois 1,662
Ohio 1,396
Michigan 1,138
Pennsylvania 1,086
Florida 1,024
New Jersey 957
Massachusetts 924

✨ Similar Names to Lesley

🌿 Related Names by Origin

Other names sharing Lesley's Scottish roots

📄 About the Name Lesley

How Many People Have the Name Lesley?

Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 2,733 people in the United States currently share the name Lesley. That works out to roughly 1 in every 121,277 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.

Is Lesley a Common or Rare Name?

Lesley is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.

What Does the Name Lesley Mean?

Lesley means "from the holly garden place" and comes from Scottish origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 6.

Gender Breakdown

Of all recorded bearers of Lesley in SSA data, approximately 8% are male and 92% are female.

When Was Lesley Most Popular?

The name Lesley reached peak popularity in 1980, with 981 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.

How Is This Data Calculated?

All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are named Lesley?

Approximately 2,733 people named Lesley live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 2,733. That works out to roughly 1 in 121,277 Americans.

Is Lesley a rare name?

Lesley is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 121,277 Americans has this name.

What does the name Lesley mean?

Lesley means "from the holly garden place" and comes from Scottish origins.

Is Lesley more male or female?

Based on SSA records, 8% of people named Lesley are male and 92% are female.

When was Lesley most popular?

Lesley peaked in 1980 with 981 births that year. Current trend: Declining.

How accurate are these statistics?

All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.

Disclaimer: All results are statistical estimates based on aggregated SSA birth records and modeling. Not exact counts of individuals. Data source: SSA National Baby Names dataset.
Quick Stats
Living in US2,733
All-Time Births2,733
1 in X1 in 121,277
RarityVery Rare
GenderFemale
Avg Age50
Peak Year1980
World Rank#4,039
Male %8%
Female %92%

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Data Source

Powered by the SSA National Baby Names dataset, birth registrations from 1880 to present.

All counts are statistical estimates. See the methodology page.