Leslie \l(e)-slie, les-lie\ as a girl's name (also used as boy's name Leslie), is pronounced LESS-lee, LEZ-lee. It is of Scottish and Gaelic origin, and the meaning of Leslie is "holly garden". Also possibly "the gray castle". Place name and name of a prominent Scottish clan, first used as a given name in the 18th century. Used mainly for boys in England and Scotland. American use of Leslie is mainly for girls. The Lezlie spelling preserves the original Scottish pronunciation. Actresses Leslie-Ann Down, Lesley Ann Warren.
Leslie has 9 variant forms: Leslea, Leslee, Lesleigh, Lesley, Lesli, Lesly, Lezlee, Lezley and Lezlie.