Wesley

Wesley for boys#52 US

Its popularity may have peaked in the 1970s when it reached #66, but Wesley has never really gone out of style. It’s always remained inside the US Top 200, making it a modern classic, solid and familiar but not too overused.

Now, Wesley is receiving renewed interest, joining Wyatt, Waylon, Maverick, Weston and Beau in the Top 100, as parents turn towards surnames-as-given-names and to names that feel both preppy and cowboyish.

Derived from an English surname – which likely came from an English place name – Wesley means "western meadow" or "western clearing." It was first used as a given name in the 1700’s, when parents chose it in honor of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.

Wesley’s popularity has spread since then and it’s no longer tied to these religious associations. Instead, it has a number of other noteworthy bearers, including: the military general and politician, Wesley Clark; the actor, Wesley Snipes; the film directors, Wes Anderson and Wes Craven; the jazz guitarist, Wes Montgomery; and TV personality, Wes Nelson.

The name might also be remembered by the fans of several TV classics, including "Star Trek: The Next Generation", "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", and "Last of the Summer Wine," all of which have featured a fictional Wesley.

Despite these notable namesakes, Wesley is currently only popular in the US. Though it has seen some usage in England, Wales, and France in recent years, it has yet to move into the spotlight.

Handsome and charming, Wesley is given to more than 4000 boys each year in the US, and following its recent trajectory, it could well move further up the charts. If you’re wanting to avoid a popular choice but love Wesley, the similar Westley ranks much lower. You could also consider Casey, Halston, Dempsey, or Layton.

Wesley for girls#1926 US

Wesley, the long-standing classic boy name that has never dipped below the Top 200, is popular again — this time for boys and girls. The shared sounds with Leslie — which was once a masculine name itself — give Wesley real potential on baby girls. Some parents have feminized the name, leading to variations such as Weslie, Wesleigh, and Weslee, one notable example being Weslie Renae, daughter of dancers Allison Holker and Stephen "tWitch" Boss.

The proportion of girls named Wesley remains small however, with just over 100 girls given the name each year, meaning Wesley doesn't come close to meeting our criteria for (statistically) unisex names - yet.