Wesley
Wesley is a boys' name of English origin meaning “western meadow.” It ranked #52 in the United States in 2025. An English surname meaning western meadow or clearing, originating as a place name.
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how do you pronounce Wesley?
WEZ-lee
where does the name Wesley come from?
From the Old English place name Westlēah, joining west with lēah, a word for a field, pasture, meadow or clearing in a forest. Several places in England carry the name, and the surname derives from them rather than from any single family.
Famous through John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Also known from the beloved character Wesley Crusher in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
how popular is this name?
Wesley has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #52 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #52 |
| 2024 | #58 |
| 2023 | #69 |
| 2022 | #70 |
| 2021 | #85 |
| 2020 | #98 |
| 2019 | #99 |
| 2018 | #105 |
| 2017 | #111 |
| 2016 | #117 |
| 2010 | #159 |
| 2000 | #171 |
| 1990 | #107 |
| 1980 | #95 |
| 1970 | #152 |
| 1960 | #164 |
| 1950 | #165 |
| 1940 | #152 |
| 1930 | #142 |
| 1920 | #129 |
| 1910 | #152 |
| 1900 | #127 |
| 1890 | #117 |
| 1880 | #109 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Wesley fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Wesley
John Wesley, who founded Methodism in the eighteenth century, is the reason the surname became a given name — a pattern common among Protestant denominations, where a founder's surname passes into use as a first name among followers. That is also how Wesley spread widely through the United States.
who are famous people named Wesley?
- John Wesley (founder of Methodism)
- Wesley Snipes (actor)
what are the nicknames and variants of Wesley?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Wesley?
what names go well with Wesley?
Sibling names that share Wesley's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Wesley
What does the name Wesley mean?
Wesley means “western meadow”.
What is the origin of the name Wesley?
Wesley comes from the English naming tradition. Related forms include Westley and Wesly.
How popular is the name Wesley?
Wesley ranked #52 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2025, at #52, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Wesley a boy or girl name?
Wesley is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Wesley?
Wesley is pronounced WEZ-lee, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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