Lesley - Female Name Meaning and Origin
- Origin
- Scottish
- Meaning
- Garden of holly
- Pronunciation
- LEZ-lee
- Gender
- Unisex (originally masculine, now predominantly feminine)
- Variations
- Leslie, Leslee, Lesly
- Notable Namesakes
- Lesley Gore (American singer and songwriter, known for It's My Party)
- Lesley Webber (fictional character from General Hospital)
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Etymology & Heritage
Lesley is a name of Scottish origin, originally a place name from Aberdeenshire. The meaning of Lesley is garden of holly, deriving from the Gaelic leas celyn where leas means garden or court and celyn refers to holly.
Leas celyn evolved into Lesley, carrying an undercurrent of beauty and strength. This transformation reflects the natural linguistic evolution that often shapes place names into personal appellations.
Character & Essence
Lesley embodies beauty, strength, and a sense of deep-rooted tradition. The name stands as the bridge between the Scottish Highlands and holly-adorned gardens, merging the rugged and the fragile.
This creates a name that resonates with the essence of nature and femininity, moving beyond the conventional to reflect a unique balance of power and grace. Such a rare blend among contemporary names speaks to both resilience and elegance.
Cultural & Contemporary Significance
While initially a masculine name, Lesley has become a popular name for both genders over time, but is predominantly used for females in modern times. The gender shift for this name demonstrates its versatility and universal appeal, often appearing in variations like Leslee or Lesly.
The name gained significant popularity in the 20th century and is often associated with cultural figures such as Lesley Gore, a popular singer and songwriter from the 1960s, known for her hit song It's My Party. The name also appears in popular media through characters like Lesley Webber from the American soap opera General Hospital.