"from the spring or well"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Welles
Pronunciation: [ w-EHLZ ]
Does Welles flow with your last name?
A cinematic name evoking artistic brilliance
English
American
Vintage
Literary
Bold
Sophisticated
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Welles
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Welles
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Welles
See all →What the Welles report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Welles the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Welles
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Welles head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Welles actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Welles
Welles is an English surname-turned-given-name derived from the Old English word 'wella' meaning spring or stream. It refers to someone who lived near a natural spring or well. As a first name, it carries the patrician feel of an Old English surname, evoking the golden age of Hollywood and the prestige of the filmmaker Orson Welles.
Welles has gained traction as a sophisticated alternative to Wells (which itself is rising). The director Orson Welles has given the name an artistic, cinematic cachet. Celebrity parents choosing surname-style names have helped fuel interest.
Orson Welles (born George Orson Welles) made this surname famous through Citizen Kane, widely considered one of the greatest films ever made. The name now carries connotations of artistic brilliance and mid-century American sophistication.
Historical Record
Welles first appeared in US Social Security records in 2010.
Over 418 babies have been named Welles in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Welles is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #3,522 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Orson Welles directed Citizen Kane at age 25, considered the greatest film ever made by many critics
- The Wells family name dates to medieval England
- Welles fits the trend of one-syllable surname names like Hayes, Brooks, and Reeves
Welles in Other Languages
French
Welles
English
Welles
Popularity Over Time
#3,522
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Welles
O
Orson Welles
Actor
1915
American filmmaker, actor, and auteur who directed Citizen Kane, widely considered the greatest film ever made
H
H.G. Wells
Writer
1866
British author and father of science fiction, wrote The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Johnson
Boy
"God is gracious"
#3,553
Cainan
Boy
"spear"
#3,322
Darin
Boy
"oak tree"
#3,577
Ason
Boy
"healer, to heal"
#3,693
Jaycion
Boy
"healer"
#3,448
Compare Welles with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #3,522
- Total SSA Count
- 32
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Wells
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Welles
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Welles fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Welles is also used as a girl name, ranked #40839.
View Welles as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Welles →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Welles with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Welles
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Welles and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Welles sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Johnson
Boy
Hebrew (via John) origin
"God is gracious"
#3,553 in US
Cainan
Boy
Hebrew origin
"spear"
#3,322 in US
Darin
Boy
Irish Gaelic origin
"oak tree"
#3,577 in US
Ason
Boy
Greek origin
"healer, to heal"
#3,693 in US
Jaycion
Boy
Greek origin
"healer"
#3,448 in US
Ayson
Boy
Greek via English origin
"variant of Jason (healer)"
#3,672 in US
Macallan
Boy
Gaelic origin
"son of Faelan (the little wolf)"
#3,347 in US
Bensen
Boy
Hebrew via English origin
"son of the right hand"
#3,644 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Welles's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Welles
What does the name Welles mean?
"from the spring or well" (from Old English). Welles is an English surname-turned-given-name derived from the Old English word 'wella' meaning spring or stream. It refers to someone who lived near a natural spring or well. As a first name, it carries the patrician feel of an Old English surname, evoking the golden age of Hollywood and the prestige of the filmmaker Orson Welles.
What is the origin of the name Welles?
Welles has Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "from the spring or well".
Is Welles a boy or girl name?
Welles is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #3522. As a girl name, it is ranked #40839. Welles is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Welles?
Welles is pronounced w-EHLZ.
How popular is the name Welles?
Welles is currently ranked #3522 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Welles?
Common nicknames for Welles include Wells.
What are good middle names for Welles?
Popular middle name pairings include Welles James, Welles Henry, Welles Thomas, Welles Edward, Welles Arthur, Welles George, and Welles John.
What are good sibling names for Welles?
Names that pair well with Welles as siblings include Arden, Monroe, Cary, Marlowe, Bette, Ingrid, and Vivien.
How many syllables does Welles have?
Welles has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Welles a common or rare name?
Welles is an uncommon name, ranked #3522 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Welles?
Are there other spellings for Welles?
About the Name Welles
Welles is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "from the spring or well" in Old English .
Is Welles a boy or girl name? Welles is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #3,522 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #40,839. Welles is more commonly used as a boy name.
Welles is currently ranked #3,522 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Welles has 1 syllable and is pronounced w-EHLZ, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Welles include Wells. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Welles include Wells, Weller, Wellington . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Old English Names
Browse all names with this origin
W
Names Starting with W
More boy names like Welles
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis