Wells: Meaning, origin and popularity
Pronounced WELZ · 1 syllable
Wells means “spring”, from English.
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.
- Meaning
- spring
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- WELZ
- US rank (2025)
- #345
- US babies a year
- about 814 (2021–2025)
- Peak
- around 2020
- Style
- Rising
How popular is Wells?
Wells was the #345 name in the US in 2025, given to 958 babies. It’s rising: up 907% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 2020.
Around the world
| Country | Rank |
|---|---|
| United States | #345 |
| Canada | #501 |
How old are people named Wells?
Half of US adults named Wells are older than 42; most are between 19 and 83. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)
Names like Wells
Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.
Questions about Wells
What does the name Wells mean?
Wells means “spring”. It comes from English.
How do you pronounce Wells?
Wells is pronounced WELZ.
How popular is the name Wells?
Wells was the #345 name in the US in 2025, given to 958 babies. It’s rising: up 907% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 2020.
How old are people named Wells?
Half of US adults named Wells are older than 42. Most are between 19 and 83.