Wesley
Several places in England, from Old English west (“west”) + lēah (“wood, clearing”).
Every Wesley since 1880 — 250,969 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Wesley
Wesley is a top-100 name for boys in the United States, ranked #52 in 2025 with 5,578 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 250,969 American babies have been named Wesley. Its peak came in 2025, when 5,679 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Wesley stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Wesley year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 101 | #1,926 | 5,578 | #52 |
| 2024 | 87 | #2,201 | 5,162 | #58 |
| 2023 | 114 | #1,791 | 4,555 | #70 |
| 2022 | 129 | #1,647 | 4,668 | #70 |
| 2021 | 133 | #1,583 | 4,216 | #85 |
| 2020 | 96 | #1,976 | 3,706 | #98 |
| 2019 | 65 | #2,679 | 3,764 | #99 |
| 2018 | 83 | #2,236 | 3,628 | #105 |
| 2017 | 61 | #2,813 | 3,577 | #111 |
| 2016 | 64 | #2,736 | 3,429 | #117 |
| 2015 | 44 | #3,591 | 3,233 | #126 |
| 2014 | 45 | #3,544 | 3,143 | #130 |
| 2013 | 27 | #5,139 | 2,837 | #139 |
| 2012 | 28 | #5,107 | 2,649 | #155 |
| 2011 | 33 | #4,460 | 2,476 | #156 |
| 2010 | 22 | #6,171 | 2,431 | #159 |
| 2009 | 28 | #5,219 | 2,211 | #176 |
| 2008 | 17 | #7,731 | 2,067 | #194 |
| 2007 | 34 | #4,472 | 2,064 | #195 |
| 2006 | 26 | #5,372 | 2,103 | #190 |
| 2005 | 16 | #7,480 | 2,113 | #189 |
| 2004 | 36 | #3,986 | 2,108 | #184 |
| 2003 | 30 | #4,415 | 2,123 | #184 |
| 2002 | 18 | #6,383 | 2,051 | #183 |
| 2001 | 19 | #6,060 | 2,028 | #184 |
| 2000 | 17 | #6,473 | 2,216 | #171 |
| 1995 | 43 | #2,843 | 2,798 | #129 |
| 1990 | 46 | #2,599 | 3,316 | #107 |
| 1985 | 48 | #2,202 | 3,043 | #94 |
| 1980 | 43 | #2,305 | 3,165 | #95 |
| 1975 | 22 | #3,256 | 1,531 | #158 |
| 1970 | 21 | #3,204 | 2,059 | #152 |
| 1965 | 10 | #4,487 | 1,860 | #160 |
| 1960 | 10 | #4,434 | 2,020 | #164 |
| 1955 | 10 | #4,062 | 1,925 | #151 |
| 1950 | 7 | #4,729 | 1,527 | #165 |
| 1945 | 12 | #2,740 | 1,107 | #163 |
| 1940 | 16 | #2,105 | 1,129 | #152 |
| 1935 | 13 | #2,435 | 1,040 | #148 |
| 1930 | 15 | #2,301 | 1,186 | #142 |
| 1925 | 12 | #2,933 | 1,265 | #135 |
| 1920 | 12 | #2,892 | 1,244 | #129 |
| 1915 | 8 | #3,423 | 990 | #133 |
| 1910 | 7 | #2,132 | 209 | #152 |
| 1905 | — | — | 174 | #123 |
| 1900 | — | — | 181 | #128 |
| 1895 | — | — | 156 | #112 |
| 1890 | 5 | #1,529 | 131 | #117 |
| 1885 | — | — | 108 | #128 |
| 1880 | — | — | 123 | #109 |
Famous people named Wesley
- Wesley Snipes Actor · b. 1962
- Wesley Sneijder Soccer player · b. 1984
- Wesley Clark Military personnel · b. 1944
- Wesley Ruggles Film director · 1889–1972
- Wesley Sonck Soccer player · b. 1978
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Wesley mean?
Several places in England, from Old English west (“west”) + lēah (“wood, clearing”).
How popular is the name Wesley in 2025?
Wesley ranked #52 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 5,578 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Wesley?
250,969 babies have been named Wesley in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Wesley most popular?
Wesley peaked in 2025, when 5,679 newborns received the name.
Is Wesley a boy or girl name?
Wesley is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Wesley rising or falling?
Wesley is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Wesley?
Well-known people named Wesley include Wesley Snipes (actor), Wesley Sneijder (soccer player), Wesley Clark (military personnel).