How Many People Are Named Leslie?
Complete statistics for the name Leslie: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Leslie is a classic Scottish name meaning 'garden of holly,' and roughly 293,721 people in the US carry it today. That works out to about 1 in 1,124 Americans, making it uncommon but far from rare. What's striking is how thoroughly it peaked and stepped back, with its golden era firmly planted in the 1950s.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life path number 8 is traditionally linked to ambition, authority, and material achievement. People associated with 8 are seen as natural leaders who pursue success with determination and a strong sense of purpose.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 59All 382,900 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: 1957Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Leslie Through the Generations
Leslie had a serious moment in the spotlight. Its peak came in 1957, when 8,199 babies were given the name in a single year, and it held a spot in the US top 10 for 26 years. That's a long run by any measure. But the numbers since then tell a very different story. Of the roughly 293,721 Leslies living in the US today, nearly half, about 49%, are over 60. Only 54,418 are under 30, compared to 188,975 who are over 60. The average age sits at 59, which lines up neatly with that 1950s and 60s boom. The name is predominantly female now, though it once had stronger crossover appeal. With a declining trend and most bearers well into their later years, Leslie reads clearly as a name that belonged to a specific generation and never quite made the jump to the next one.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Leslie's Scottish roots
📄 About the Name Leslie
How Many People Have the Name Leslie?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 24,015 people in the United States currently share the name Leslie. That works out to roughly 1 in every 13,802 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Leslie a Common or Rare Name?
Leslie is classified as 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 Leslie Mean?
Leslie means "garden of holly" and comes from Scottish origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 8.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Leslie in SSA data, approximately 17% are male and 83% are female.
When Was Leslie Most Popular?
The name Leslie reached peak popularity in 1957, with 8,199 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 Leslie?
Approximately 24,015 people named Leslie live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 24,015. That works out to roughly 1 in 13,802 Americans.
Is Leslie a rare name?
Leslie is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 13,802 Americans has this name.
What does the name Leslie mean?
Leslie means "garden of holly" and comes from Scottish origins.
Is Leslie more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 17% of people named Leslie are male and 83% are female.
When was Leslie most popular?
Leslie peaked in 1957 with 8,199 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.