Home β€Ί Baby Names Directory β€Ί Weldon

Weldon

β™‚ Boy

Pronounced WEL-don /ˈwΙ›l.dΙ™n/High

Meaning: Hill near a spring or wellHigh

In 30 seconds: Weldon is an Old English name meaning 'hill near a spring,' originally a place-name and surname. It has a solid, distinguished quality and was popular as a given name in the American South and Midwest in the early 20th century.
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Origin HighOld English
MeaningHill near a spring or well
U.S. rank (2024)#3033 β†˜ Falling
2024 U.S. births41 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1920
Total births (all-time)β‰ˆ 14,201

Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data

peak 192018812024

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

History & Origin

Weldon derives from Old English wella (spring, well) and dun (hill), describing a settlement or geographical feature near a spring-fed hill. As a surname it appears in English records from the medieval period. It crossed the Atlantic and became established as a given name in North America during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Weldon as a first name peaked in the United States during the 1920s–1940s, appearing regularly in Southern and Midwestern families. It carries the genteel, solid character of names from that era β€” dignified without being stuffy β€” and is now experiencing a quiet revival as vintage names return to fashion.

Did you know? Weldon, North Carolina, a small town on the Roanoke River, was named after a local family of that surname β€” illustrating how the name spread from English topographic surname to American place name and then to given name.
Overall data confidence 85%
Dictionary of English Surnames β€” Reaney & Wilson β€” Etymology of WeldonUS SSA Baby Name Historical Data β€” Peak usage period

Variations

WeltonWeldenWeldan

Nicknames

WellWeldDonnie

Famous Bearers

  • β˜…Weldon Heyburn (1903–1951)
    American character actor who appeared in about 65 films from 1930 through 1950

If you like Weldon…

Sheldonβ€” Old English -don surname used as a boy's name with similar pattern
Waltonβ€” English place-name surname with comparable historical use
Gordonβ€” English/Scottish surname of similar era and sound profile

Frequently Asked

What does the name Weldon mean?

Weldon means 'hill near a spring or well,' derived from Old English wella (spring) and dun (hill).

How do you pronounce Weldon?

Weldon is pronounced WEL-don, with stress on the first syllable.

Is Weldon a boy or girl name?

Weldon is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Weldon?

Weldon peaked in popularity in the United States in the 1920s–1940s. It is now rare but has appeal as a vintage revival name.