WDYT of the name Leslie/Lesley?

Question

Which spelling is more boyish/girly for you? I've always associated Lesley with girls and Leslie with boys.

BQ1: Do you like this name?
BQ2: Do you prefer Leslie/Lesley as a first name or as a middle name?

Answer 1

People have told me that Leslie is more boy-oriented and Lesley is more girl-oriented but, I've never associated either spelling with just one sex. The name itself is fairly androgynous to me so a slight altering of the ending has never caused me to see it as only masculine or only feminine. That said, I generally prefer Lesley for both since the "-ley" comes off as a little more elegant and professional in comparison to "-lie".



BQ1: I have a male cousin named Leslie so, due to said family association, I generally do love the name. It's not too common nowadays, it's gentle and sweet but also quite distinctive and assertive, it ages well and it's complimentary to both sexes. What more could you ask for?



BQ2: I've had Lesley/Leslie as a first name for a boy on my list before, but for a girl I would prefer it as a middle name since the only girl-Lesley I've ever known was, unfortunately, teased and bullied and called a "Lesbian" all through secondary school. And while that's unlikely to happen to every girl who bears the name, that association has personally put me off of considering it as a first name for a girl. But if you want to use it as a first name for either gender, I would see no problem with that...

Answer 2

I've never seen it spelled Lesley as a first name for either a girl or boy. That spelling is usually a last name. I like the name Leslie; but I think it is better suited as a girl's name. IF you name your boy Leslie, he will be bullied in school!!! Bob Hope's given name was Leslie & he said he had to take on a nickname very early in life because all the guys in the neighborhood felt it was OK to taunt him. So, as a girl's name, I would use it as a first name; however, for a boy, I'd use it as a middle name & give him a VERY masculine first name!!!

Answer 3

Well I know of old men named Leslie, and daughter's who've been named after their dad's named Lesley, so I agree with the spelling you have.



I guess I just picture middle aged women with "Lesley" and old men when I hear Leslie. I think it would probably be difficult for a child, especially a boy to have "Les" as a nickname, but its still a nice name

Answer 4

I have many relatives currently living and in the way back named Leslie (pronounced Less-lee and not Lez-lee). They all have spelled it Leslie both boys and girls.



BQ1: I love this name.,

BQ2: I like is for both.

Answer 5

My aunt's name is Leslie so I can only picture it on women (not even young girls lol)



BQ1: It's ok, kinda plain

BQ2: Leslie as an MN

Answer 6

Leslie is an ugly name for either gender.

Answer 7

I've known too many boys named Leslie to think of it as girlish. They both sound like boys to me.

Answer 8

To me I wouldn't use on a boy but that's just me. I like the name :) and first name