How Many People Are Named Wesley?
Complete statistics for the name Wesley: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Wesley is an English surname-turned-given name meaning 'western meadow', and today around 189,949 people in the US carry it. That works out to about 1 in 1,737 Americans, making it uncommon but far from rare. What's striking is that Wesley is actually at its peak right now, with 2024 being its biggest year ever for new births.
📖 Meaning & Origin
The number 8 in numerology is traditionally linked to ambition, authority, and material success. People connected to 8 are often seen as natural leaders who pursue their goals with discipline and a strong sense of purpose.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 47All 245,137 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 2024Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Wesley Through the Generations
Wesley has a genuinely unusual story for a name with deep roots. Despite being associated with the 18th-century preacher John Wesley, it never dominated the charts, spending just one year in the US top 10. All-time births sit at 245,137, and with around 189,949 estimated living today, the gap is relatively modest, suggesting steady use across the decades rather than a forgotten boom. The age distribution backs that up nicely. It's almost perfectly even across generations, with 34% under 30, 34% aged 30 to 60, and 32% over 60. That's rare. Most names cluster heavily in one age band. Wesley just doesn't. The average age of 47 sits right in the middle of that spread. And with a rising trend and 2024 being the peak year at 5,231 births, Wesley is actually gaining ground, making it one of those names that feels both classic and quietly modern at the same time.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Wesley's Old English roots
📄 About the Name Wesley
How Many People Have the Name Wesley?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 21,988 people in the United States currently share the name Wesley. That works out to roughly 1 in every 15,074 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Wesley a Common or Rare Name?
Wesley is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Wesley Mean?
Wesley means "western meadow or enclosure" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 8.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Wesley in SSA data, approximately 99% are male and 1% are female.
When Was Wesley Most Popular?
The name Wesley reached peak popularity in 2024, with 5,231 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Wesley?
Approximately 21,988 people named Wesley live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 21,988. That works out to roughly 1 in 15,074 Americans.
Is Wesley a rare name?
Wesley is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 15,074 Americans has this name.
What does the name Wesley mean?
Wesley means "western meadow or enclosure" and comes from Old English origins.
Is Wesley more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 99% of people named Wesley are male and 1% are female.
When was Wesley most popular?
Wesley peaked in 2024 with 5,231 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.