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Westley

♂ Boy

Pronounced WEST-lee /ˈwɛst.li/High

Meaning: Variant of Wesley, from a place-name and surname composed of Old English west ('west') and leah ('meadow,' 'clearing'), meaning 'from the western clearing' or 'western meadow'High

In 30 seconds: Westley is the romantically famous spelling of Wesley — the hero of The Princess Bride — meaning 'western meadow.' It carries both a Methodism founder and a fairy-tale prince.
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Origin HighOld English
MeaningVariant of Wesley, from a place-name and surname composed of Old English west ('west') and leah ('meadow,' 'clearing'), meaning 'from the western clearing' or 'western meadow'
U.S. rank (2025)#619 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births453 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 10,117

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202518872025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Westley is a variant spelling of Wesley, from an Old English place-name meaning 'western clearing.' The name Wesley became famous primarily through John Wesley (1703–1791), the Anglican clergyman who founded Methodism. The Westley spelling was used in William Goldman's novel The Princess Bride (1973) for the romantic hero.

Both Wesley and Westley are used in the United States, with Wesley significantly more common. Westley appeals to parents who want the warm, familiar sound of Wesley with the additional literary romance of the Princess Bride hero. It has maintained modest but steady use in U.S. birth records.

Did you know? In William Goldman's The Princess Bride (1973), the hero's name is spelled Westley — not Wesley — a small distinction that has given this spelling an ardent following among fans of one of the most beloved romantic tales of the 20th century.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name — Wesley — base etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

WesleyWes

Nicknames

Wes

Famous Bearers

  • ★Westley (The Princess Bride) (fictional)
    The romantic hero of William Goldman's novel The Princess Bride, known for the line 'As you wish.'

If you like Westley…

Wesley— the standard spelling of the same Old English -ley place-name
Weston— Old English West- place-name surname with the same directional and pastoral origin
Bradley— two-syllable Old English -ley surname-name with the same woodland-clearing etymology
Hadley— popular Old English -ley surname crossing to given-name use with the same charm

Frequently Asked

What does the name Westley mean?

Westley is a spelling variant of Wesley, from Old English meaning 'western clearing' or 'from the west meadow.'

How do you pronounce Westley?

It is said WEST-lee — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Westley a boy or girl name?

Westley is used exclusively as a boys' name.

How popular is Westley?

Westley is less common than Wesley but has steady use in the U.S., popular with parents who love The Princess Bride.