Wells Unisex
Origin(s)
Pronunciationwells / wɛlzEnglish; Old English
Meaning
English: spring or stream; Old English: from the spring
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Wells is derived from the Old English word 'wella', meaning spring or stream. It has been used as both a surname and a given name. The name is often associated with places in England that have springs or wells. It gained popularity as a first name in the 20th century.
Trend Summary
Wells has seen a gradual increase in popularity as a baby name in the United States over recent years.
Similar Names
Variants
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International Variants
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Famous people named Wells
Wells Tower is an American author known for his short stories and essays.
Wells Adams is an American radio DJ and television personality known for his appearances on 'The Bachelorette'.
Wells Fargo is a well-known American financial services company, named after its founders, Henry Wells and William Fargo.
Fictional characters named Wells
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Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Wells was first seen in the United States in 1881. Wells has ranked as high as #637 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in Texas, Utah, California, North Carolina, and Georgia. In the past 5 years the name Wells has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Wells (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 75 | |
| CA | 60 | |
| GA | 44 | |
| UT | 44 | |
| NC | 42 | |
| MN | 34 | |
| MI | 31 | |
| IL | 31 | |
| TN | 30 | |
| SC | 28 | |
| OH | 28 | |
| FL | 24 | |
| VA | 22 | |
| PA | 22 | |
| IA | 21 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1881 | 5 |
| 1884 | 5 |
| 1886 | 6 |
| 1895 | 5 |
| 1900 | 6 |
| 1910 | 6 |
| 1911 | 8 |
| 1912 | 20 |
| 1913 | 12 |
| 1914 | 20 |
| 1915 | 23 |
| 1916 | 21 |
| 1917 | 19 |
| 1918 | 17 |
| 1919 | 26 |
| 1920 | 18 |
| 1921 | 37 |
| 1922 | 27 |
| 1923 | 15 |
| 1924 | 22 |
| 1925 | 14 |
| 1926 | 15 |
| 1927 | 21 |
| 1928 | 16 |
| 1929 | 8 |
| 1930 | 17 |
| 1931 | 16 |
| 1932 | 13 |
| 1933 | 9 |
| 1934 | 15 |
| 1935 | 11 |
| 1937 | 11 |
| 1938 | 15 |
| 1939 | 12 |
| 1940 | 9 |
| 1941 | 10 |
| 1942 | 10 |
| 1943 | 14 |
| 1944 | 7 |
| 1945 | 12 |
| 1946 | 14 |
| 1947 | 11 |
| 1948 | 15 |
| 1949 | 8 |
| 1950 | 13 |
| 1951 | 10 |
| 1952 | 7 |
| 1953 | 7 |
| 1954 | 15 |
| 1955 | 12 |
| 1956 | 6 |
| 1957 | 7 |
| 1958 | 7 |
| 1959 | 6 |
| 1960 | 10 |
| 1961 | 7 |
| 1962 | 7 |
| 1963 | 7 |
| 1964 | 5 |
| 1966 | 5 |
| 1967 | 7 |
| 1968 | 12 |
| 1969 | 8 |
| 1970 | 13 |
| 1971 | 10 |
| 1973 | 13 |
| 1974 | 9 |
| 1975 | 6 |
| 1976 | 12 |
| 1977 | 6 |
| 1978 | 8 |
| 1979 | 10 |
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1981 | 6 |
| 1983 | 7 |
| 1984 | 11 |
| 1985 | 9 |
| 1986 | 11 |
| 1987 | 7 |
| 1988 | 8 |
| 1989 | 7 |
| 1990 | 9 |
| 1991 | 14 |
| 1992 | 11 |
| 1993 | 10 |
| 1994 | 9 |
| 1995 | 9 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 1997 | 11 |
| 1998 | 14 |
| 1999 | 10 |
| 2000 | 15 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2003 | 18 |
| 2004 | 22 |
| 2005 | 22 |
| 2006 | 17 |
| 2007 | 17 |
| 2008 | 17 |
| 2009 | 19 |
| 2010 | 32 |
| 2011 | 37 |
| 2012 | 51 |
| 2013 | 60 |
| 2014 | 88 |
| 2015 | 89 |
| 2016 | 123 |
| 2017 | 233 |
| 2018 | 327 |
| 2019 | 432 |
| 2020 | 521 |
| 2021 | 621 |
| 2022 | 659 |
| 2023 | 696 |
| 2024 | 865 |