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Weller

♂ Boy

Pronounced WEL-er /ˈwɛl.ər/High

Meaning: English occupational surname from Old English wella (well, spring) plus the agent suffix -er, meaning one who tends or works a well or springHigh

In 30 seconds: Weller is an Old English occupational surname meaning well-keeper, given to someone who tended a spring or well. As a given name, it is rare and distinguished, with a crisp sound and literary associations.
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Origin HighOld English, English
MeaningEnglish occupational surname from Old English wella (well, spring) plus the agent suffix -er, meaning one who tends or works a well or spring
U.S. rank (2024)#3090 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births40 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 152

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202420182024

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

History & Origin

Weller is an English surname derived from Old English wella (a well or spring) with the occupational suffix -er, indicating a person who lived near or tended a well. It has been recorded as an English surname since at least the 13th century. The name is common in southern England, particularly in counties like Surrey, Kent, and Sussex.

As a given name, Weller is extremely rare and is typically used by parents honoring a family surname or literary heritage. Rock musician Paul Weller (born 1958), the Modfather, lead singer of The Jam and The Style Council, has kept the name in cultural consciousness in Britain. The Weller name in Dickens gives it an additional layer of beloved fictional heritage.

Did you know? Sam Weller, the witty, street-smart cockney servant in Charles Dickens' first novel The Pickwick Papers (1836–37), is one of the most beloved characters in English fiction — giving the name Weller a warm, humorous literary legacy.
Overall data confidence 85%
Hanks & Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames — Weller occupational surnameDickens, The Pickwick Papers (1836–37) — Sam Weller literary association

Variations

WellarWells

Nicknames

WellWelly

Famous Bearers

  • ★Paul Weller (1958–present)
    English singer-songwriter known as the Modfather, frontman of the bands The Jam and The Style Council and a successful solo artist.

If you like Weller…

Porter— Old French/English occupational surname name used as a modern given name
Cooper— English occupational surname name widely used in the same naming trend
Parker— English occupational surname name of similar construction and feel
Tyler— Old English occupational surname name similarly used as a given name

Frequently Asked

What does the name Weller mean?

Weller means one who tends a well or spring, from Old English wella and the occupational suffix -er.

How do you pronounce Weller?

Weller is pronounced WEL-er, with two syllables and stress on the first.

Is Weller a boy or girl name?

Weller is used as a boys name.

How popular is Weller?

Weller is a very rare given name, occasionally chosen by parents with English heritage or literary interests.