Given name & surname
Welles
“from the springs”
Welles is a variant of Wells. One English interpretation is “from the springs.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Welles is a variant of Wells. One English interpretation is “from the springs.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Welles is a variant of Wells. An origin associated with Wells is English.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1915. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Welles through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 480
- 470 boys · 10 girls
- Most popular year
- 2021
- 56 babies
- 2025
- 42
- #2,985 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −1%
- Steady
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 42 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 2,985 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 3.6% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. In 2025, New York had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (7). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 1,508 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Welles, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Wilder
Wilder is a surname.
92% boys · 8% girls
Myles
“one who is merciful” · “a soldier”
99% boys · 1% girls
Wesley
“from the western meadow”
98% boys · 2% girls
Ares
“Ares' dome” · “the containment of competition”
96% boys · 4% girls
Miles
“one who is merciful” · “a soldier”
>99% boys
Ellis
“Jehovah is my God” · “noble”
73% boys · 27% girls
Winston
“of the joy stone; from the friendly town”
99% boys · 1% girls
Walker
“walker of the forests” · “one who trods the cloth”
97% boys · 3% girls