Wells
Wells: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /wɛlz/
Meaning and origin of Wells
Root meaning: “spring”
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
From Old English wella, genitive plural of well (“spring”), in reference to a residence near a group of springs. The original use of the genitive case here would've indicated origin. The -s ending of the modern form would be added later on upon reanalysis after the breakdown of the case system (outside of pronouns) that occurred in the development of English.
How popular is Wells?
Since 1880, 175 girls and 6,989 boys in the U.S. have been named Wells (2% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #6662 in 2023. Its highest rank for boys was #347 in 2025. In 2025 it ranked #347 for boys, with 958 babies given the name.
Names similar to Wells
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English boy names
Sibling name ideas for Wells
Sister and brother names that share Wells's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Wells FAQ
What does the name Wells mean?
Wells traces back to a root meaning "spring". A male given name transferred from the surname. From Old English wella, genitive plural of well (“spring”), in reference to a residence near a group of springs. The original use of the genitive case here would've indicated origin. The -s ending of the modern form would be added later on upon reanalysis after the breakdown of the case system (outside of pronouns) that occurred in the development of English.
What is the origin of the name Wells?
Wells is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Wells?
Since 1880, 175 girls and 6,989 boys in the U.S. have been named Wells (2% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #6662 in 2023. Its highest rank for boys was #347 in 2025. In 2025 it ranked #347 for boys, with 958 babies given the name.
Is Wells a boy or girl name?
Wells is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 175 girls and 6,989 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.