Find out how popular the first name Westen has been for the last 44 years (from 1980 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Westen by gender

Based on the last 44 years of data, Westen is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 117 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Westen.

The history of the first name Westen

The name Westen is an English given name derived from the word "west," referring to the cardinal direction. Its origins can be traced back to Old English, where the word "west" was spelled as "west," "weste," or "westan."

In Old English, the word "west" was used to describe the direction of the setting sun, and it was often associated with the western regions of the British Isles. The name Westen likely emerged as a descriptive name, possibly referring to someone who lived in the western part of a town or region, or someone who came from the west.

While the name Westen does not have a long recorded history in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been used as a given name for several centuries in English-speaking cultures. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Westen dates back to the late 16th century, when a man named Westen Browne was recorded in parish records in England.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Westen. One such person was Westen Willoughby (1576-1650), an English landowner and Member of Parliament during the reign of King Charles I. Another notable bearer of the name was Westen Tregarthen (1662-1737), a Cornish landowner and judge in England.

In the 19th century, Westen Ewing (1809-1885) was a prominent American lawyer and politician who served as a judge in Ohio and as a member of the United States House of Representatives. Westen Pullen (1825-1891) was an American Civil War veteran and businessman who founded the town of Westen, Ohio, which was named after him.

More recently, Westen Barrett (1936-2021) was an American actor and stuntman who appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout his career, including "The Dukes of Hazzard" and "The Rockford Files."

While the name Westen is not as common as some other English names, it has maintained a presence throughout history, particularly in English-speaking countries. Its connection to the cardinal direction and its descriptive nature have likely contributed to its enduring use as a given name over several centuries.

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 Westen was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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