Wesley
Wesley is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Western meadow or western clearing.
Origin and history
Wesley is derived from an English surname originally meaning 'western meadow'. Historically used predominantly for boys, it has recently seen increasing usage as a unisex choice for girls in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
3,256 babies in the United States have been named Wesley since 1880. It ranks #3116 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1452.
States where it is most popular
- CA (35.8 %)
- TX (29.6 %)
- FL (5.4 %)
- GA (4.4 %)
- OH (4.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 5 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 84 |
| 1920-1930 | 109 |
| 1930-1940 | 118 |
| 1940-1950 | 149 |
| 1950-1960 | 133 |
| 1960-1970 | 150 |
| 1970-1980 | 254 |
| 1980-1990 | 482 |
| 1990-2000 | 399 |
| 2000-2010 | 241 |
| 2010-2019 | 472 |
| 2020-2029 | 660 |
Nicknames
Wes, Wessy
Fun facts
- The name originally designated someone who lived near a western field or meadow in medieval England.
- While historically masculine, Wesley has grown in usage for American girls in recent decades as part of a trend toward traditional surnames.