Lesley
Meaning: Garden of holly, gray fortress
Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Gender: Girl
Rank in Australia: #192
Total births: 2,238
History: Lesley peaked in the 1960s in Australia as a unisex name. The name represents an era when gender-neutral naming was natural — before it became a deliberate trend.
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Look at the data
Every number here comes directly from Australia’s birth records. No estimates, no averages — just the counts.
| Current rank (1967) | #100 |
| Babies named Lesley in 1967 | 75 |
| Total recorded in Australia | 2,238 |
| Peak year | 1952 (271 babies) |
| Highest rank ever | #34 |
| Years in records | 1952–1967 (14 years of data) |
| Change over last 5 years | ↓ 28 spots |
Frequently asked about Lesley
What does the name Lesley mean?
Lesley means “Garden of holly, gray fortress” from Scottish Gaelic roots.
What is the origin of the name Lesley?
Lesley has Scottish Gaelic origin. The traditional meaning is “Garden of holly, gray fortress”.
How popular is Lesley in Australia?
Lesley ranked #100 in Australia in 1967 — given to 75 babies that year.
When was Lesley most popular?
Lesley peaked in 1952 with 271 babies registered that year in Australia.
Is Lesley a boy or girl name?
Lesley is predominantly a girls' name in Australia — over 90% of Lesleys in registered births are female.
Is the name Lesley rising or falling in popularity?
Lesley has fallen 28 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years in Australia — from #72 in 1962 to #100 in 1967.
How long has Lesley been recorded in Australia?
Lesley appears in birth records in Australia across 14 years — from 1952 through 1967.