Boy · 98th of 23,106
Wesley
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
245,260
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2024
Peak Popularity Year
5,231
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Wesley stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Wesley is an Old English name meaning 'western meadow'. It evolved from the historical form 'Wesleah'. The name is notably associated with John Wesley, which contributed to its popularity in the 18th century. It carries traits of sophistication and tradition, with no direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈwɛsli/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Wesley is derived from the Old English words 'wes' meaning 'west' and 'leah' meaning 'clearing' or 'meadow'. Thus, it can be interpreted as 'the western meadow'.
Meaning
western meadow
Language Evolution
Wesleah, Wesley
Historical Usage
Wesley gained popularity in the 18th century, primarily due to John Wesley, the co-founder of the Methodist movement, which brought the name into wider use among English-speaking populations.
Variants & Derivatives
Wes, Wessie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Wesley is seen as a classic name with a strong historical and religious association, often perceived as sophisticated and traditional.
Famous People
John Wesley, Wesley Snipes, Wesley Crusher (fictional character from Star Trek)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Consistently Rising
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 5,231 peak births in 2024
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Hawaii
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 9 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 134th of 7545 | 19,613 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 151st of 6773 | 20,316 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 162nd of 7552 | 33,576 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 132nd of 10718 | 35,172 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 107th of 16616 | 49,364 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 175th of 24088 | 35,444 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 98th of 23106 | 45,888 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2963rd of 9107 | 167 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2443rd of 9204 | 232 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3100th of 12526 | 273 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3033rd of 19264 | 368 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2452nd of 27321 | 755 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 5072nd of 35406 | 407 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2333rd of 30306 | 948 |