Welles Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Welles originates from Old English, meaning 'spring' or 'stream'. It has evolved through various forms in English and is associated with geographical features. The name carries connotations of freshness and vitality, with no direct biblical relevance. It gained popularity in medieval England and is recognized today as a distinguished name, notably linked with famous figures like Orson Welles.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Welles"
Pronunciation
/wɛlz/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Welles is derived from the Old English word 'wella', meaning 'spring' or 'stream'. It may also refer to someone who lived near a spring or a water source.
Meaning
spring, stream
Language Evolution
Wella (Old English), Welles (Middle English), Welles (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Welles gained popularity in the medieval period, particularly in England, as surnames began to emerge based on geographical features.
Variants & Derivatives
Wells, Welle, Well
Modern Popularity & Image
Welles is perceived as a classic and somewhat sophisticated name, often associated with creativity and intellectualism.
Famous People
Orson Welles, George Welles
📊 Welles Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Welles Name Visualizations
✨ Welles Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 56 peak births in 2021
Geographic Spread
Popular across 5 US states, with strongest presence in Pennsylvania
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 4 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Welles"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Welles"
"Welles" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 6687th of 7545 | 10 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 18784th of 24088 | 15 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3377th of 23106 | 403 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 26286th of 30306 | 10 |
Regional Popularity of "Welles" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
79.99% 3187th/3984 |
63.67% 2857th/4487 |
74.46% 5080th/6822 |
62.16% 3901st/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Welles" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Welles"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Welles" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Welles" in the United States
The name Welles is most popular in Pennsylvania, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Welles has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Welles' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 6687th out of 7545 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 18784th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3377th out of 23106 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 26286th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Welles' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.