The name Leslie has its origins in the ancient Germanic language, derived from the combination of the elements "lesc," meaning "meadow," and "rid," meaning "rider." It first emerged in Scotland during the 12th century as a Scottish surname, likely referring to a person who lived near or tended to a meadow.

In its earliest recorded use as a given name, Leslie was predominantly a masculine name. One of the earliest known bearers was Leslie of Balquhain, a Scottish nobleman who lived in the 13th century and served as a knight under King Alexander III of Scotland.

As time passed, the name Leslie gained popularity among the Scottish aristocracy and gentry. Notable historical figures with this name include Sir Andrew Leslie (1580-1644), a Scottish military commander who played a significant role in the Thirty Years' War, and Alexander Leslie (1580-1661), a Scottish soldier and military commander who fought for the Covenanters during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.

While Leslie remained primarily a Scottish name for several centuries, it eventually spread to other parts of the British Isles and beyond. One of the earliest recorded examples of Leslie as a feminine name is Lady Leslie Rayner (1854-1935), an English author and philanthropist.

Other notable individuals named Leslie throughout history include Leslie Howard (1893-1943), an English actor and director best known for his role in the film "Gone with the Wind," and Leslie Charteris (1907-1993), an American author and creator of the famous character "The Saint."

As the name gained popularity in the 20th century, it continued to be used for both males and females, though it became more commonly associated with women. Leslie Nielsen (1926-2010), a Canadian actor and comedian known for his roles in comedy films like "Airplane!" and "The Naked Gun" series, is one of the more prominent male bearers of the name in recent history.

Throughout its long history, the name Leslie has maintained a strong connection to its Scottish roots, while also transcending cultural boundaries and becoming a widely recognized and beloved name across various regions and ethnicities.