Westley Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Westley is an Old English name meaning 'western meadow'. It evolved from the Old English Wēstleah through Middle English to its modern form. The name conveys traits of nature and exploration, with no direct biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the 19th century and has variants such as Wesley and Wes.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Westley"
Pronunciation
/ˈwɛstli/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Westley is derived from the Old English elements 'west' meaning 'west' and 'leah' meaning 'clearing' or 'meadow'. Thus, it originally referred to a person living near a western meadow or clearing.
Meaning
Western meadow
Language Evolution
Wēstleah (Old English), Westleah (Middle English), Westley (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Westley gained popularity as a given name in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, often associated with literary works and characters.
Variants & Derivatives
Wesley, West, Wes
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Westley is perceived as a classic yet unique name, often associated with a sense of adventure and charm, partly due to its presence in popular culture.
Famous People
Westley Moore (American author and politician), Westley Snipes (American actor and film producer)
📊 Westley Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Westley Name Visualizations
✨ Westley Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 424 peak births in 2024
Geographic Spread
Popular across 39 US states, with strongest presence in Oregon
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Westley" - Complete Guide (9 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Westley". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 9 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Westley" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Westley"
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 of "Westley"
"Westley" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1350th of 7545 | 460 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1542nd of 6773 | 376 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1320th of 7552 | 651 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1042nd of 10718 | 970 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 841st of 16616 | 2,225 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1555th of 24088 | 1,432 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 806th of 23106 | 3,493 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 27321st of 27321 | 5 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 15471st of 30306 | 51 |
Regional Popularity of "Westley" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
81.45% 1927th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
78.86% 1227th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
54.24% 1318th/2430 |
70.66% 2016th/2853 |
54.52% 1513th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
38.58% 1133rd/2937 |
31.70% 1104th/3483 |
35.08% 1234th/3518 |
29.03% 1174th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
22.36% 824th/3685 |
23.87% 1068th/4475 |
16.10% 836th/5194 |
13.82% 873rd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
35.68% 1635th/4582 |
42.37% 2188th/5164 |
24.87% 1819th/7313 |
17.31% 1292nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
19.18% 764th/3984 |
18.41% 826th/4487 |
15.76% 1075th/6822 |
9.94% 624th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Westley" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Westley"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Westley" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Westley" in the United States
The name Westley is most popular in Oregon, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Westley has been stalled for male in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Westley' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1350th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1542nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1320th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1042nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 841st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1555th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 806th out of 23106 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 27321st out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 15471st out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Westley' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.