Wesley: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: The name Wesley has remained relatively popular in the United States and other English-speaking countries since the 19th century and remains a classic choice.

Wesley Overview

Meaning

Western meadow

Gender

Boy, Gender-neutral

Origin

English

Etymology

Coming from an Old English surname used as a surname for people who lived near a western meadow

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈwɛsli/

Popularity

Wesley is a consistently popular name, especially in English-speaking countries. It often ranks within the top 200 names in the US.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

8 (Practical, Ambitious, Materialistic)

Name Styles

Classic, Traditional, Cool, Cute

Associated Traits

Charm, intellect, a calm demeanor

Wesley Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Wesly, Westley, Wessley, Weslie, Wessly

Common Nicknames

Wes, West, Lee, Wess

Diminutives

Wessie, Wezzy, Wes-Wes

Famous People

Wesley Snipes
(American Actor)
Wesley Sneijder
(Netherland Ex-footballer)
Wesley So
(Filipino Chess Grandmaster)
Wesley Fofana
(French Footballer)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

Wesley Wyndam-Pryce
(TV Series)

Places

Wesley Chapel
(Florida, USA)
Wesley College
(Melbourne, Australia)

What Is the Meaning of Wesley?

The name Wesley typically means “western meadow.” It is derived from Old English elements where “west” refers to the direction and “leah” means meadow or clearing. The name refers to images of open, grassy fields located to the west.

What Is the Origin of The Name Wesley?

Wesley is a name of English origin and was initially used as a surname before becoming a popular first name. It was commonly adopted as a given name in English-speaking countries and has historical roots tied to places named Wesley in England.

Wesley Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Wesley in the U.S. over the Years

United States	#702022	#692023
Top 3 Rankings	#661977	#692023	#702022

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Wesley

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	69 (+1 from 2022)	4539 (-124 from 2022)	0.24788
2022	70 (+15 from 2021)	4663 (+447 from 2021)	0.24896
2021	85 (+13 from 2020)	4216 (+513 from 2020)	0.22502
2020	98 (+1 from 2019)	3703 (-57 from 2019)	0.20020
2019	99 (+6 from 2018)	3760 (+133 from 2018)	0.19565
2018	105 (+6 from 2017)	3627 (+51 from 2017)	0.18660
2017	111 (+6 from 2016)	3576 (+147 from 2016)	0.18069
2016	117 (+9 from 2015)	3429 (+198 from 2015)	0.16928
2015	126 (+4 from 2014)	3231 (+88 from 2014)	0.15804
2014	130 (+9 from 2013)	3143 (+307 from 2013)	0.15338
2013	139 (+16 from 2012)	2836 (+188 from 2012)	0.14035
2012	155 (+1 from 2011)	2648 (+173 from 2011)	0.13050
2011	156 (+3 from 2010)	2475 (+46 from 2010)	0.12184
2010	159 (+17 from 2009)	2429 (+218 from 2009)	0.11823
2009	176 (+18 from 2008)	2211 (+146 from 2008)	0.10425
2008	194 (+1 from 2007)	2065 (+3 from 2007)	0.09471
2007	195 (-5 from 2006)	2062 (-41 from 2006)	0.09309
2006	190 (-1 from 2005)	2103 (-10 from 2005)	0.09592
2005	189 (-5 from 2004)	2113 (+5 from 2004)	0.09933
2004	184 No change from 2003	2108 (-15 from 2003)	0.09975
2003	184 (-1 from 2002)	2123 (+72 from 2002)	0.10104
2002	183 (+1 from 2001)	2051 (+23 from 2001)	0.09924
2001	184 (-13 from 2000)	2028 (-188 from 2000)	0.09805
2000	171 (-3 from 1999)	2216 (+9 from 1999)	0.10611
1999	168 (-16 from 1998)	2207 (-35 from 1998)	0.10824
1998	152 (-8 from 1997)	2242 (-116 from 1997)	0.11057
1997	144 (-7 from 1996)	2358 (-258 from 1996)	0.11803
1996	137 (-8 from 1995)	2616 (-181 from 1995)	0.13056
1995	129 (-11 from 1994)	2797 (-235 from 1994)	0.13906
1994	118 (-5 from 1993)	3032 (-140 from 1993)	0.14875
1993	113 (-2 from 1992)	3172 (-67 from 1992)	0.15357
1992	111 (-5 from 1991)	3239 (-28 from 1991)	0.15430
1991	106 (+1 from 1990)	3267 (-49 from 1990)	0.15413
1990	107 (-9 from 1989)	3316 (-141 from 1989)	0.15409
1989	98 (-6 from 1988)	3457 (-21 from 1988)	0.16493
1988	92 No change from 1987	3478 (+233 from 1987)	0.17370
1987	92 (+4 from 1986)	3245 (+202 from 1986)	0.16639
1986	96 (-2 from 1985)	3043 (-1 from 1985)	0.15835
1985	94 (+7 from 1984)	3044 (+245 from 1984)	0.15818
1984	101 No change from 1983	2799 (+11 from 1983)	0.14914
1983	101 (-3 from 1982)	2788 (-242 from 1982)	0.14960
1982	98 (+1 from 1981)	3030 (-12 from 1981)	0.16056
1981	99 (-4 from 1980)	3042 (-123 from 1980)	0.16334
1980	95 (-6 from 1979)	3165 (-71 from 1979)	0.17064
1979	89 (-6 from 1978)	3236 (-72 from 1978)	0.18065
1978	83 (-17 from 1977)	3308 (-993 from 1977)	0.19361
1977	66 (+53 from 1976)	4301 (+2154 from 1976)	0.25161
1976	119 (+39 from 1975)	2147 (+615 from 1975)	0.13151
1975	158 (+7 from 1974)	1532 (+65 from 1974)	0.09443
1974	165 (-7 from 1973)	1467 (-87 from 1973)	0.08999
1973	158 (-4 from 1972)	1554 (-137 from 1972)	0.09630
1972	154 (-3 from 1971)	1691 (-268 from 1971)	0.10101
1971	151 (+1 from 1970)	1959 (-100 from 1970)	0.10776
1970	152 (+5 from 1969)	2059 (+198 from 1969)	0.10810
1969	157 (+8 from 1968)	1861 (+219 from 1968)	0.10174
1968	165 (+2 from 1967)	1642 (+55 from 1967)	0.09248
1967	167 (-10 from 1966)	1587 (-217 from 1966)	0.08919
1966	157 (+3 from 1965)	1804 (-55 from 1965)	0.09925
1965	160 (+2 from 1964)	1859 (-111 from 1964)	0.09812
1964	162 (-5 from 1963)	1970 (-128 from 1963)	0.09719
1963	157 (+5 from 1962)	2098 (+136 from 1962)	0.10162
1962	162 (+1 from 1961)	1962 (-41 from 1961)	0.09335
1961	163 (+1 from 1960)	2003 (-17 from 1960)	0.09286
1960	164 (-4 from 1959)	2020 (+21 from 1959)	0.09329
1959	160 No change from 1958	1999 (+46 from 1958)	0.09227
1958	160 No change from 1957	1953 (-41 from 1957)	0.09063
1957	160 (-3 from 1956)	1994 (-11 from 1956)	0.09110
1956	157 (-6 from 1955)	2005 (+80 from 1955)	0.09342
1955	151 (+4 from 1954)	1925 (+81 from 1954)	0.09209
1954	155 (+4 from 1953)	1844 (+111 from 1953)	0.08912
1953	159 (+6 from 1952)	1733 (+139 from 1952)	0.08655
1952	165 (+6 from 1951)	1594 (+94 from 1951)	0.08078
1951	171 (-6 from 1950)	1500 (-27 from 1950)	0.07847
1950	165 (+1 from 1949)	1527 (+121 from 1949)	0.08396
1949	166 (+3 from 1948)	1406 (+70 from 1948)	0.07802
1948	169 (-6 from 1947)	1336 (-123 from 1947)	0.07494
1947	163 (+4 from 1946)	1459 (+211 from 1946)	0.07854
1946	167 (-5 from 1945)	1248 (+141 from 1945)	0.07562
1945	162 (-3 from 1944)	1107 (-62 from 1944)	0.08072
1944	159 (-4 from 1943)	1169 (-98 from 1943)	0.08415
1943	155 (-1 from 1942)	1267 (+13 from 1942)	0.08710
1942	154 (+4 from 1941)	1254 (+164 from 1941)	0.08904
1941	158 (-6 from 1940)	1090 (-39 from 1940)	0.08686
1940	152 (-6 from 1939)	1129 (+16 from 1939)	0.09518
1939	146 (+4 from 1938)	1113 (+39 from 1938)	0.09821
1938	150 (-4 from 1937)	1074 (+9 from 1937)	0.09450
1937	146 (-1 from 1936)	1065 (+4 from 1936)	0.09738
1936	145 (+3 from 1935)	1061 (+21 from 1935)	0.09969
1935	148 (-6 from 1934)	1040 (-78 from 1934)	0.09723
1934	142 (+5 from 1933)	1118 (+88 from 1933)	0.10528
1933	147 (-3 from 1932)	1030 (-105 from 1932)	0.10096
1932	144 (-1 from 1931)	1135 (+20 from 1931)	0.10564
1931	143 (-1 from 1930)	1115 (-71 from 1930)	0.10423
1930	142 (+1 from 1929)	1186 (+5 from 1929)	0.10500
1929	143 No change from 1928	1181 (-1 from 1928)	0.10663
1928	143 (-9 from 1927)	1182 (-142 from 1927)	0.10358
1927	134 (-2 from 1926)	1324 (+4 from 1926)	0.11395
1926	132 (+3 from 1925)	1320 (+55 from 1925)	0.11524
1925	135 (-4 from 1924)	1265 (-82 from 1924)	0.10986
1924	131 (-6 from 1923)	1347 (-32 from 1923)	0.11522
1923	125 (+2 from 1922)	1379 (+92 from 1922)	0.12179
1922	127 No change from 1921	1287 (-45 from 1921)	0.11438
1921	127 (+2 from 1920)	1332 (+88 from 1920)	0.11705
1920	129 (+6 from 1919)	1244 (+145 from 1919)	0.11301
1919	135 (+2 from 1918)	1099 (-46 from 1918)	0.10824
1918	137 (-1 from 1917)	1145 (+131 from 1917)	0.10919
1917	136 (-1 from 1916)	1014 (-12 from 1916)	0.10570
1916	135 (-2 from 1915)	1026 (+36 from 1915)	0.11113
1915	133 (-2 from 1914)	990 (+201 from 1914)	0.11238
1914	131 (+2 from 1913)	789 (+204 from 1913)	0.11547
1913	133 (+1 from 1912)	585 (+100 from 1912)	0.10909
1912	134 (-3 from 1911)	485 (+224 from 1911)	0.10743
1911	131 (+21 from 1910)	261 (+52 from 1910)	0.10812
1910	152 (-16 from 1909)	209 (+12 from 1909)	0.10023
1909	136 (-1 from 1908)	197 (+12 from 1908)	0.11139
1908	135 (-10 from 1907)	185 (-6 from 1907)	0.11120
1907	125 (+10 from 1906)	191 (+36 from 1906)	0.12044
1906	135 (-12 from 1905)	155 (-19 from 1905)	0.10759
1905	123 (+4 from 1904)	174 (+8 from 1904)	0.12148
1904	127 (-1 from 1903)	166 (+13 from 1903)	0.11985
1903	126 (+7 from 1902)	153 (+8 from 1902)	0.11831
1902	133 (-18 from 1901)	145 (-1 from 1901)	0.10923
1901	115 (+12 from 1900)	146 (-35 from 1900)	0.12631
1900	127 (+7 from 1899)	181 (+62 from 1899)	0.11164
1899	134 (-11 from 1898)	119 (-32 from 1898)	0.10330
1898	123 (+11 from 1897)	151 (+30 from 1897)	0.11431
1897	134 (-14 from 1896)	121 (-24 from 1896)	0.09923
1896	120 (-8 from 1895)	145 (-11 from 1895)	0.11234
1895	112 (+1 from 1894)	156 (+7 from 1894)	0.12318
1894	113 (+6 from 1893)	149 (+13 from 1893)	0.11930
1893	119 (+1 from 1892)	136 (-6 from 1892)	0.11236
1892	120 No change from 1891	142 (+27 from 1891)	0.10802
1891	120 (-3 from 1890)	115 (-16 from 1890)	0.10525
1890	117 (+27 from 1889)	131 (+30 from 1889)	0.10944
1889	144 (-31 from 1888)	101 (-46 from 1888)	0.08485
1888	113 (+3 from 1887)	147 (+32 from 1887)	0.11316
1887	116 (+4 from 1886)	115 (-6 from 1886)	0.10520
1886	120 (+8 from 1885)	121 (+13 from 1885)	0.10165
1885	128 (-7 from 1884)	108 (-12 from 1884)	0.09315
1884	121 (+1 from 1883)	120 (+16 from 1883)	0.09777
1883	122 (-21 from 1882)	104 (-41 from 1882)	0.09246
1882	101 (+16 from 1881)	145 (+43 from 1881)	0.11882
1881	117 (-8 from 1880)	102 (-21 from 1880)	0.09420
1880	109 First SSA data recorded	123 First SSA data recorded	0.10389

American States Popularity Rankings for Wesley

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

Texas (TX)

#1402021

#1342022

#1372023

California (CA)

#1152021

#1032022

#1102023

Ohio (OH)

#572021

#442022

#602023

Georgia (GA)

#1282021

#852022

#1062023

North Carolina (NC)

#1142021

#922022

#752023

Pennsylvania (PA)

#602021

#502022

#462023

New York (NY)

#902021

#772022

#862023

Illinois (IL)

#842021

#642022

#802023

Florida (FL)

#1412021

#1312022

#1042023

Michigan (MI)

#632021

#422022

#502023

Tennessee (TN)

#1332021

#842022

#762023

Virginia (VA)

#742021

#642022

#572023

Missouri (MO)

#582021

#552022

#492023

Alabama (AL)

#1292021

#892022

#1272023

Indiana (IN)

#832021

#792022

#652023

Kentucky (KY)

#1232021

#1202022

#1252023

Oklahoma (OK)

#1122021

#1042022

#622023

Minnesota (MN)

#292021

#202022

#182023

Washington (WA)

#462021

#442022

#382023

Louisiana (LA)

#662021

#712022

#1022023

Wisconsin (WI)

#232021

#212022

#242023

South Carolina (SC)

#1192021

#832022

#762023

Mississippi (MS)

#1242021

#692022

#1332023

Massachusetts (MA)

#462021

#452022

#452023

Arkansas (AR)

#1512021

#1252022

#1052023

Colorado (CO)

#542021

#462022

#432023

Maryland (MD)

#632021

#682022

#642023

New Jersey (NJ)

#1062021

#1272022

#932023

Iowa (IA)

#532021

#472022

#372023

Kansas (KS)

#852021

#422022

#532023

Oregon (OR)

#412021

#202022

#252023

Utah (UT)

#372021

#272022

#242023

Arizona (AZ)

#1342021

#972022

#1002023

West Virginia (WV)

#1092021

#952022

#632023

Nebraska (NE)

#312021

#302022

#432023

Connecticut (CT)

#722021

#942022

#472023

Idaho (ID)

#702021

#342022

#342023

New Mexico (NM)

#1582021

#1252022

#1722023

Hawaii (HI)

#1512021

#1422022

#952023

South Dakota (SD)

#552021

#342022

#232023

North Dakota (ND)

#712021

#812022

#192023

Montana (MT)

#662021

#192022

#602023

Maine (ME)

#312021

#112022

#342023

District of Columbia (DC)

#922021

#422022

#442023

New Hampshire (NH)

#212021

#192022

#362023

Nevada (NV)

#1392021

#1532022

#1342023

Alaska (AK)

#662021

#1682022

#742023

Wyoming (WY)

#1032021

#812022

#782023

Delaware (DE)

#832021

#592022

#622023

Vermont (VT)

#72021

#182022

#492023

Rhode Island (RI)

#762021

#572022

#302023

Popularity Rankings for Wesley in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Canada

Canada

#482021

#522022

#382023

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW)

#891978

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa

Guam

Northern Mariana Islands

U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories

#1241998

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada

#2022020

#1952021

#1332022

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium

#1551995

#1791996

#1831997

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

#2401998

#3572007

#4152015

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico

#5392013

#3252014

#4742015

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand

#3672019

#4002020

#3402021

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland

#3652005

#4362006

#4482007

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales

#6942019

#6272020

#6182021

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland

#7642019

#7792022

#7702023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland

#8302002

#9752009

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden

#9232023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Wesley a Name for Boys or Girls?

Wesley is predominantly used as a boy’s name. Its use as a girl’s name is less common, and it generally retains a stronger association with boys across various cultures and regions.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Wesley

Wesly
Westley
Wessley
Weslie
Wessly

Wes
West
Lee
Wess

Wessie
Wezzy
Wes-Wes

Wesley in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Wesley Snipes (Actor, born 1962): American actor and film producer best known for his role as the Marvel Comics character Blade in the Blade film trilogy, highlighting his contributions to action and superhero films.
Wesley Sneijder (Ex-footballer, born 1984): Dutch former professional footballer known for his skill as a midfielder and significant contributions to the Netherlands national team and clubs like Ajax, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan.
Wesley So (Chess Grandmaster, born 1993): Filipino-American chess prodigy and grandmaster, celebrated for winning the 2017 Chess.com Speed Chess Championship.
Wesley Fofana (Footballer, born 2000): French professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Chelsea and the France national team, known for his defensive skills and rapid rise in European football.

Wesley Wyndam-Pryce ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer & Angel", 1999, TV Series): A fictional character known for his evolution from a clumsy Watcher to a brave and resourceful fighter in the Buffyverse.

Wesley Chapel (Florida, USA): A rapidly growing suburb of Tampa, known for its shopping centers and new residential communities.
Wesley College (Melbourne, Australia): An independent, co-educational, and multi-campus school established in 1866, known for its comprehensive education system and historic contributions to education in Australia.

Lesley
Westley
Wesleyan
Kesley
Meaning: Priest's meadow
Origin: EnglishPresley
Wellesley
Wes
Wessel
Weslyn
Wessley

Sibling Names for Wesley

For a Brother
For a Sister

Parents Who Like the Name Wesley Also Like

Remember to leave your opinions about the name Wesley in the comment section. Plus, you should share this fascinating information with people looking for a unique name for their baby boy.

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

Expertise

Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher

Education

1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Literature and Journalism
Focus: In-depth knowledge of Literature, knowledge and skills to perceive, create literature or work in related fields; Basic knowledge of communications.

2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Education Faculty
Focus: Core knowledge of social sciences and humanities – the root for the development of progressive values of education, Multicultural communication in education, Contemporary education in the context of globalization, Learning in the digital technology era, Basic issues of STEAM education, Classroom Management, Special education.

3. Oregon State University, Oregan, US

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Human Development and Family Sciences – Child Development
Focus: Different stages of development, from infancy to adulthood; Develop a strong foundation for a career in early childhood programs or classrooms; Learn strategies for supporting young children’s development in early childhood settings.

Helen is an experienced educational specialist and content creator, known for her innovative approach to children’s learning. With a background in literature and child development, she composes engaging educational content for SimpleKids.net. Her work emphasizes creativity, engagement, and simplicity, aiming to make learning enjoyable and accessible for children and their families.

Wesley Name Meaning

Wesley Overview

Wesley Variations in Different Cultures

What Is the Meaning of Wesley?

What Is the Origin of The Name Wesley?

Wesley Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Wesley in the U.S. over the Years

American States Popularity Rankings for Wesley

Texas (TX)

California (CA)

Ohio (OH)

Georgia (GA)

North Carolina (NC)

Pennsylvania (PA)

New York (NY)

Illinois (IL)

Florida (FL)

Michigan (MI)

Tennessee (TN)

Virginia (VA)

Missouri (MO)

Alabama (AL)

Indiana (IN)

Kentucky (KY)

Oklahoma (OK)

Minnesota (MN)

Washington (WA)

Louisiana (LA)

Wisconsin (WI)

South Carolina (SC)

Mississippi (MS)

Massachusetts (MA)

Arkansas (AR)

Colorado (CO)

Maryland (MD)

New Jersey (NJ)

Iowa (IA)

Kansas (KS)

Oregon (OR)

Utah (UT)

Arizona (AZ)

West Virginia (WV)

Nebraska (NE)

Connecticut (CT)

Idaho (ID)

New Mexico (NM)

Hawaii (HI)

South Dakota (SD)

North Dakota (ND)

Montana (MT)

Maine (ME)

District of Columbia (DC)

New Hampshire (NH)

Nevada (NV)

Alaska (AK)

Wyoming (WY)

Delaware (DE)

Vermont (VT)

Rhode Island (RI)

Popularity in Canada

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Popularity in Other American Territories

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Popularity in Belgium

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Popularity in New Zealand

Popularity in Scotland

Popularity in England and Wales

Popularity in Ireland

Popularity in Switzerland

Popularity in Sweden

Is Wesley a Name for Boys or Girls?

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Wesley

Wesley in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Similar Names to Wesley

Sibling Names for Wesley

Parents Who Like the Name Wesley Also Like

Leave a Reply Cancel reply