Meaning: Its source is leas cuillinn, a Gaelic name meaning "Holly garden."

Narrative: This was a surname for a Scottish noble family closely associated with the royal house of Stewart.

It was popularized as a first name by Hungarian-born English actor Leslie Howard (1890-1943). As Ashley Wilkes in the 1939 film version of Gone With the Wind, he succeeded in popularizing both his personal name and his character's name.

In recent years both names, though still popular, are more commonly given to girls.

Meaning: Its source is leas cuillinn, a Gaelic name meaning "Holly garden."

Popularity: The name Lesly ranked 377th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of 2000-2003 Social Security Administration statistics.

Narrative: This was the surname of a Scottish noble family closely associated with the royal house of Stewart.

It was popularized as a first name by Hungarian-born English actor Leslie Howard (1890-1943). As Ashley Wilkes in the 1939 film version of Gone With the Wind, Howard succeeded in popularizing both his personal name and his character's name.

In recent years both Ashley and Leslie, though still used for boys, have been more commonly given to girls.