Wells
Wells is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Springs or natural streams of water.
Origin and history
Wells is an English surname turned given name, historically referring to someone who lived near a spring or stream. It has experienced a significant surge in popularity in the United States in recent years. It offers a fresh, nature-inspired alternative to traditional classic names.
Popularity in the United States
6,989 babies in the United States have been named Wells since 1880. It ranks #1442 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #432.
States where it is most popular
- TX (9.4 %)
- UT (6.4 %)
- NC (5.8 %)
- CA (5.5 %)
- GA (4.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 16 |
| 1890-1900 | 5 |
| 1900-1910 | 6 |
| 1910-1920 | 172 |
| 1920-1930 | 193 |
| 1930-1940 | 119 |
| 1940-1950 | 110 |
| 1950-1960 | 90 |
| 1960-1970 | 68 |
| 1970-1980 | 87 |
| 1980-1990 | 71 |
| 1990-2000 | 103 |
| 2000-2010 | 166 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,473 |
| 2020-2029 | 4,310 |
Fun facts
- It originally described a person living near a natural spring, well, or stream in medieval England.
- While used historically, more than half of all U.S. births registered with this name occurred after 2020.