Wells
From Old English wella, genitive plural of well (“spring”), in reference to a residence near a group of springs.
Every Wells since 1881 — 7,164 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Wells
Wells is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #347 in 2025 with 944 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1881, 7,164 American babies have been named Wells. Its peak came in 2025, when 958 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Wells stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Wells year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 | #7,865 | 944 | #347 |
| 2024 | 12 | #8,919 | 869 | #378 |
| 2023 | 18 | #6,662 | 696 | #447 |
| 2022 | 15 | #7,608 | 659 | #469 |
| 2021 | 17 | #6,950 | 621 | #482 |
| 2020 | 10 | #10,209 | 521 | #546 |
| 2019 | 18 | #6,688 | 432 | #628 |
| 2018 | 13 | #8,583 | 327 | #731 |
| 2017 | 10 | #10,652 | 233 | #916 |
| 2016 | 12 | #9,394 | 124 | #1,418 |
| 2015 | 7 | #14,405 | 89 | #1,739 |
| 2014 | 7 | #14,488 | 88 | #1,727 |
| 2013 | 6 | #16,425 | 60 | #2,203 |
| 2012 | — | — | 51 | #2,485 |
| 2011 | 5 | #19,444 | 37 | #3,110 |
| 2010 | 6 | #16,884 | 32 | #3,448 |
| 2009 | — | — | 19 | #5,088 |
| 2008 | — | — | 17 | #5,481 |
| 2007 | — | — | 17 | #5,423 |
| 2006 | — | — | 17 | #5,293 |
| 2005 | — | — | 22 | #4,191 |
| 2004 | — | — | 22 | #4,126 |
| 2003 | — | — | 18 | #4,605 |
| 2002 | — | — | 10 | #7,017 |
| 2001 | — | — | 9 | #7,503 |
| 2000 | — | — | 15 | #5,033 |
| 1995 | — | — | 9 | #6,388 |
| 1990 | — | — | 9 | #5,799 |
| 1985 | — | — | 9 | #4,680 |
| 1980 | — | — | 5 | #7,266 |
| 1975 | — | — | 6 | #5,443 |
| 1970 | — | — | 13 | #2,734 |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | 10 | #2,864 |
| 1955 | — | — | 12 | #2,428 |
| 1950 | — | — | 13 | #2,204 |
| 1945 | — | — | 12 | #2,127 |
| 1940 | — | — | 9 | #2,665 |
| 1935 | — | — | 11 | #2,392 |
| 1930 | — | — | 17 | #1,886 |
| 1925 | — | — | 14 | #2,312 |
| 1920 | — | — | 18 | #1,961 |
| 1915 | — | — | 23 | #1,452 |
| 1910 | — | — | 6 | #1,585 |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | 6 | #1,298 |
| 1895 | — | — | 5 | #1,234 |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Wells mean?
From Old English wella, genitive plural of well (“spring”), in reference to a residence near a group of springs.
How popular is the name Wells in 2025?
Wells ranked #347 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 944 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Wells?
7,164 babies have been named Wells in the United States since 1881, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Wells most popular?
Wells peaked in 2025, when 958 newborns received the name.
Is Wells a boy or girl name?
Wells is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 98% of babies with the name.
Is the name Wells rising or falling?
Wells is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.