Wesley
Wesley is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Western meadow or western clearing.
Origin and history
Wesley is derived from an Old English habitational surname meaning 'western meadow'. Historically used as a given name in honor of John Wesley, founder of Methodism, it has long been a staple in the United States. Today, it remains a consistently popular classical yet modern choice for boys.
Popularity in the United States
247,713 babies in the United States have been named Wesley since 1880. It ranks #155 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #67.
States where it is most popular
- TX (8.1 %)
- CA (8 %)
- OH (4.3 %)
- GA (4 %)
- NC (3.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 1,186 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,365 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,693 |
| 1910-1920 | 7,603 |
| 1920-1930 | 12,861 |
| 1930-1940 | 10,937 |
| 1940-1950 | 12,465 |
| 1950-1960 | 18,074 |
| 1960-1970 | 18,807 |
| 1970-1980 | 23,252 |
| 1980-1990 | 31,088 |
| 1990-2000 | 28,246 |
| 2000-2010 | 21,084 |
| 2010-2019 | 31,167 |
| 2020-2029 | 27,885 |
Famous people named Wesley
- Wesley Snipes: Actor, Producer
- Wesley Clark: Military Officer, Author
Nicknames
Wes
Fun facts
- It originated from various places in England named Westley or Wesley, combining 'west' and 'leah' (clearing/meadow).
- The name gained widespread popularity as a given name in the 18th and 19th centuries in honor of preacher John Wesley.