Find out how popular the first name Lesly has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Lesly by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Lesly is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 98% of people named Lesly being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 152 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Lesly.

The history of the first name Lesly

The given name Lesly has its origins in the Germanic language, derived from the Old German word "Lescelin" or "Lesceline," which means "little darling" or "little sweetheart." This name was prevalent during the Middle Ages, particularly in regions where Germanic tribes settled, such as parts of modern-day Germany, France, and the Netherlands.

The earliest recorded use of the name Lesly can be traced back to the 12th century, where it was sometimes spelled as "Lesceline" or "Lescelin." One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Lesceline de Vermandois, a French noblewoman who lived in the late 12th century and was known for her piety and charitable works.

In the 13th century, the name Lesly appeared in various historical records and documents, often associated with individuals of noble or influential backgrounds. For instance, Lesly de Marle was a French knight who participated in the Seventh Crusade during the 13th century.

As the name spread across Europe, it underwent various spelling variations, such as "Leslie," "Lesly," and "Lesley." One notable figure with this name was Lesley of Scotland, a 16th-century Scottish nobleman who played a significant role in the Scottish Reformation and served as the Earl of Rothes.

Another individual of historical significance was Lesly Grogan, an Irish soldier and military leader who served in the French army during the 17th century. He was known for his bravery and military exploits during the Thirty Years' War and the Franco-Spanish War.

In the 18th century, Lesly Pole, an English novelist and playwright, gained recognition for her literary works, including the novel "The Travels of Cyrus" and several plays that were performed on the London stage.

Moving into the 19th century, Lesly Stahl, an American journalist and correspondent for CBS News, was born in 1941. She is renowned for her investigative reporting and has covered numerous high-profile stories throughout her career.

While the name Lesly has its roots in the Germanic language and was initially more common in parts of Europe, it has since gained popularity in various parts of the world, particularly in English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Lesly was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Lesly, please contact us.

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