Wess: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	7	1	–	#797
1890s	22	2	+214%	#880
1900s	11	1	-50%	#1,301
1910s	25	3	+127%	#2,535
1920s	17	2	-32%	#4,134
1930s	21	2	+24%	#3,986
1940s	5	1	-76%	#4,003
1950s	44	4	+780%	#2,964
1960s	107	11	+143%	#2,079
1970s	75	8	-30%	#2,906
1980s	69	7	-8%	#3,916
1990s	11	1	-84%	#8,202
2000s	30	3	+173%	#7,676
2010s	19	2	-37%	#10,692
2020s (to 2025)	50	8	+339%	#8,129

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

#797

1890s

+214%

#880

1900s

-50%

#1,301

1910s

+127%

#2,535

1920s

-32%

#4,134

1930s

+24%

#3,986

1940s

-76%

#4,003

1950s

+780%

#2,964

1960s

107

+143%

#2,079

1970s

-30%

#2,906

1980s

-8%

#3,916

1990s

-84%

#8,202

2000s

+173%

#7,676

2010s

-37%

#10,692

2020s (to 2025)

+339%

#8,129

The story of Wess

Wess is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #9,653 in 2025 with 8 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1883, 513 American babies have been named Wess. Its peak came in 1965, when 16 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1960s.

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 Wess stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Wess?

The median living Wess is about 47 years old; half are between 25 and 60. An estimated 400 people named Wess are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Wess year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	8	#9,653
2024	9	#8,950
2023	6	#12,167
2022	9	#8,942
2021	10	#8,129
2020	8	#9,511
2019	–	–
2018	7	#10,692
2017	5	#14,147
2016	–	–
2015	–	–
2014	–	–
2013	–	–
2012	7	#10,708
2011	–	–
2010	–	–
2009	–	–
2008	11	#7,676
2007	–	–
2006	–	–
2005	–	–
2004	6	#11,292
2003	–	–
2002	5	#12,421
2001	–	–
2000	8	#8,175
1995	–	–
1990	5	#9,451
1985	8	#5,127
1980	9	#4,483
1975	6	#5,445
1970	6	#4,712
1965	16	#2,079
1960	7	#3,656
1955	6	#3,874
1950	7	#3,313
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	5	#4,135
1930	6	#3,986
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	9	#2,820
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	6	#1,301
1895	5	#1,235
1890	7	#880
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Wess, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Wess?

The median living Wess is about 47 years old. Half of all living Wesss are between 25 and 60 years old.

How many people named Wess are alive today?

An estimated 400 people named Wess are alive in the United States, based on 513 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Wess mean?

Spelling variant of Wes.

How popular is the name Wess in 2025?

Wess ranked #9,653 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 8 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Wess?

513 babies have been named Wess in the United States since 1883, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Wess most popular?

Wess peaked in 1965, when 16 newborns received the name.

Is Wess a boy or girl name?

Wess is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Wess rising or falling?

Wess is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Wess

Wess popularity over time

The story of Wess

How old are people named Wess?

Wess year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Wess