Wells
Meaningsprings, wells · English
- US rank
- #345
- Syllables
- 1
- Peak
- #345 in 2025
944 babies were named Wells in the US in 2025. It has climbed 200 places in five years.
Found on lists
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
US births per million boys, 1881–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Wells you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- How commonAbout 1 in every 1,809 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Wells, 944 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Wells would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryWells first shows up in US birth records in 1881, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 144 years since.
- Best yearWells is at its all-time high right now: #345 in 2025.
- Then vs nowWells is 73× more common today than it was in 2000. In 2000 it was given to about 1 in 131,579 baby boys; in 2025, about 1 in 1,809.
- TrendWells has climbed 200 places in the US rankings over the last five years and now sits at #345. Fast risers like this often keep climbing, so expect to hear it more.
- Where it's lovedWells is most popular in North Dakota, where it ranks #93, followed by Utah (#101) and New Hampshire (#121). It makes the top 1,000 in almost every state.
- MeaningIn English, Wells means “springs, wells”.
About the name Wells
Wells is a boy name of English origin meaning “springs, wells”. It has 5 letters and 1 syllable, starting with W and ending in “-lls”. US birth records list Wells for boys from 1881 to 2025, in 117 of those 145 years. Its best year was 2025, when it ranked #345 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #345, with 944 babies.
Origin:English names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 16 | 61,017 boys |
| 1890s | 4.3 | 234,742 boys |
| 1900s | 4.0 | 250,627 boys |
| 1910s | 28 | 35,562 boys |
| 1920s | 17 | 57,208 boys |
| 1930s | 11 | 89,127 boys |
| 1940s | 7.5 | 134,228 boys |
| 1950s | 4.5 | 222,222 boys |
| 1960s | 3.5 | 281,690 boys |
| 1970s | 5.3 | 190,476 boys |
| 1980s | 3.8 | 260,417 boys |
| 1990s | 5.3 | 189,394 boys |
| 2000s | 8.3 | 120,482 boys |
| 2010s | 80 | 12,514 boys |
| 2020s | 416 | 2,402 boys |
More English boy names
- Boy name: Oliver · olive tree
- Boy name: Henry · ruler of the home
- Unisex name: James · supplanter
- Boy name: William · resolute protector
- Boy name: Benjamin · son of the right hand
- Boy name: Jack · God is gracious
- Unisex name: Hudson · son of Hudde
- Unisex name: Julian · of the Julius family
Questions about the name Wells
What does the name Wells mean?
Wells means “springs, wells” in English.
What is the origin of the name Wells?
Wells has English roots in our records. Other English names include Oliver, Henry, James.
Is Wells a boy or girl name?
Wells is a boy name, though a few girls get it too.
How popular is the name Wells?
Wells ranked #345 for US boys in 2025, given to 944 babies. Its best year was 2025 (#345).