Find out how popular the first name Wes has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Wes by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Wes is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 310 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Wes.

The history of the first name Wes

The name Wes is a diminutive form of the name Wesley, which is derived from the Old English words "west" and "leah," meaning "west meadow." The name is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Wesley can be found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript recording landowners in England in 1086. The name was spelled "Wesleie" and referred to a location in Buckinghamshire, England.

In the 17th century, the name gained prominence with the birth of John Wesley (1703-1791), the founder of the Methodist movement within the Church of England. Wesley was a prolific writer, preacher, and organizer, and his influence helped spread the name throughout the English-speaking world.

Another notable figure with the name Wes was Wes Montgomery (1923-1968), an American jazz guitarist widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. His unique style and innovative techniques influenced countless musicians and helped shape the sound of modern jazz.

In the realm of politics, Wes Watkins (1928-2015) was a prominent American politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Oklahoma for nearly two decades, from 1977 to 1991.

The name Wes has also been borne by notable authors, such as Wes Craven (1939-2015), the American filmmaker and writer best known for his horror films, including "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and the "Scream" franchise.

Wes Moore (born 1978) is an American author, social entrepreneur, and television producer who has written several books, including "The Other Wes Moore," which explores the divergent paths taken by two men with the same name.

While the name Wes is most commonly associated with the English-speaking world, it has also found its way into other cultures and languages, often as a shortened form of longer names or as an independent given name.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Wes was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Wes, please contact us.

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