Wes
Wes is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Western meadow or western town.
Origin and history
Wes originated as a short form of Wesley or Weston, which derive from Old English elements meaning 'western meadow' or 'western town'. Historically a surname-derived given name, it has gained popularity in the United States as a standalone, modern choice. It offers a concise, vintage yet contemporary feel for boys.
Popularity in the United States
6,786 babies in the United States have been named Wes since 1880. It ranks #1464 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #768.
States where it is most popular
- CA (23.5 %)
- TX (12.7 %)
- NY (6.9 %)
- MA (4.3 %)
- IL (4.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 23 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 19 |
| 1920-1930 | 39 |
| 1930-1940 | 51 |
| 1940-1950 | 160 |
| 1950-1960 | 485 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,110 |
| 1970-1980 | 571 |
| 1980-1990 | 392 |
| 1990-2000 | 228 |
| 2000-2010 | 480 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,397 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,831 |
Famous people named Wes
- Wes Anderson: Director, Screenwriter
- Wes Craven: Director, Writer
- Wes Unseld: Basketball Player, Coach
Fun facts
- While historically given as a nickname for Wesley, Wes is increasingly registered as an independent formal name in the U.S.
- The name stems from Old English geographic features describing locations west of a settlement.