Holding steady.
Popularity of Wessley since 1926
Babies named Wessley per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 5 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 17 |
| 1970s | 23 |
| 1980s | 70 |
| 1990s | 64 |
| 2000s | 52 |
| 2010s | 16 |
| 2020s | 7 |
Meaning & origin
Wessley is an uncommon variant of Wesley, a name with deep English roots. The Wesley spelling was popularized by John Wesley, the 18th-century theologian, but Wessley remains a rare choice. First recorded in 1926, it has never ranked in the top 1000 names. Its peak year for usage was 1978. In recent decades, the name has seen stable but infrequent use, according to U.S. Social Security data. With no particular state concentration, Wessley offers a distinctive twist on a classic surname-turned-first-name.
Wessley is a variant spelling of Wesley. The name derives from an English surname meaning 'western meadow,' from Old English west 'west' + leah 'wood, clearing'. It was popularized by John Wesley, the 18th-century founder of Methodism. The spelling with two s's is a less common variant that emerged in the 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Wes, Wess
Sibling names for Wessley
Names that share Wessley's style, for a brother or sister.
