Wes
Every Wes since 1880 — 6,786 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Wes
Wes is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #716 in 2025 with 376 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 6,786 American babies have been named Wes. Its peak came in 2025, when 376 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 Wes stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Wes year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 376 | #716 |
| 2024 | 346 | #744 |
| 2023 | 310 | #800 |
| 2022 | 315 | #801 |
| 2021 | 268 | #867 |
| 2020 | 216 | #991 |
| 2019 | 217 | #982 |
| 2018 | 191 | #1,063 |
| 2017 | 180 | #1,089 |
| 2016 | 160 | #1,193 |
| 2015 | 143 | #1,265 |
| 2014 | 122 | #1,395 |
| 2013 | 122 | #1,386 |
| 2012 | 94 | #1,655 |
| 2011 | 83 | #1,769 |
| 2010 | 85 | #1,767 |
| 2009 | 66 | #2,097 |
| 2008 | 75 | #1,931 |
| 2007 | 56 | #2,334 |
| 2006 | 66 | #2,035 |
| 2005 | 49 | #2,397 |
| 2004 | 39 | #2,740 |
| 2003 | 37 | #2,726 |
| 2002 | 33 | #2,880 |
| 2001 | 33 | #2,862 |
| 2000 | 26 | #3,296 |
| 1995 | 21 | #3,298 |
| 1990 | 35 | #2,127 |
| 1985 | 40 | #1,613 |
| 1980 | 52 | #1,312 |
| 1975 | 36 | #1,503 |
| 1970 | 87 | #868 |
| 1965 | 100 | #744 |
| 1960 | 138 | #669 |
| 1955 | 38 | #1,239 |
| 1950 | 15 | #2,017 |
| 1945 | 22 | #1,443 |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | 9 | #2,713 |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | 6 | #4,269 |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | 5 | #1,051 |
Famous people named Wes
- Wes Craven Film director · 1939–2015
- Wes Studi Actor · b. 1947
- Wes Montgomery Musician · 1923–1968
- Wes Anderson Film director · b. 1969
- Wes Unseld Basketball player · 1946–2020
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Wes in 2025?
Wes ranked #716 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 376 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Wes?
6,786 babies have been named Wes in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Wes most popular?
Wes peaked in 2025, when 376 newborns received the name.
Is Wes a boy or girl name?
Wes is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Wes rising or falling?
Wes is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Wes?
Well-known people named Wes include Wes Craven (film director), Wes Studi (actor), Wes Montgomery (musician).