Declining since 2020, #4,249 for boys today.
Popularity of Wellington since 1880
Babies named Wellington per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Wellington's real moment was 1891.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 77 |
| 1890s | 71 |
| 1900s | 82 |
| 1910s | 360 |
| 1920s | 414 |
| 1930s | 228 |
| 1940s | 220 |
| 1950s | 169 |
| 1960s | 158 |
| 1970s | 143 |
| 1980s | 158 |
| 1990s | 178 |
| 2000s | 174 |
| 2010s | 242 |
| 2020s | 205 |
Meaning & origin
Wellington is a distinguished English name with aristocratic associations that has been in use since the 19th century. First recorded in U.S. data in 1880, it saw its peak popularity early in 1891 before becoming a rarity. In 2025, only 1 in every 71170 boys received the name, reflecting its rank of 4249. While never common, it has shown a falling trajectory since 2020, suggesting a continued decline in use. The name carries a strong sense of tradition, tied to historical military and political renown, without the weight of recent fashion. Its formal sound makes it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with gravitas.
Wellington is an English habitational surname derived from the name of several places, most notably the ancient town in Somerset. It is composed of the Old English elements 'weala' (Welshman or foreigner) and 'tun' (enclosure, settlement), combined with 'ing' (people of), meaning 'settlement of the people of the Welshman'. The name gained prominence as a given name through the English military hero Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington (1769-1852), who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Welly
Sibling names for Wellington
Names that share Wellington's style, for a brother or sister.
