I don't completely loathe it, but I've never cared for it. You're right about it sounding dated, and it does sound better as a feminine name.
Leslie TaylorLeslie WillowLeslie BridgetLeslie NorahLeslie Rowan
I think
Leslie sounds best when paired with a fairly modern (by that I mean it still gets used today) name that begins with a consonant. Btw, it kind of bugs me when people complain about it reminding them of the word "lesbian". I never even made the connection until a friend of mine once pointed it out to me, and I don't see why it's even a problem anyway.