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Home › Baby Names Directory › Wellesley

Wellesley

♀ Girl

Pronounced WELZ-lee /ˈwɛlz.li/Medium

Meaning: From the English surname and place-name Wellesley, roughly 'clearing by a spring/well' -- famously tied to the Duke of Wellington (Arthur Wellesley) and Wellesley College. Used here for a girl though it reads male.Low

In 30 seconds: A stately surname-name: Wellesley points to 'a clearing by a spring' (said 'WELZ-lee'). It reads male -- we flag the lean honestly.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningFrom the English surname and place-name Wellesley, roughly 'clearing by a spring/well' -- famously tied to the Duke of Wellington (Arthur Wellesley) and Wellesley College. Used here for a girl though it reads male.
U.S. rank (2023)#15059 ↘ Falling
2023 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2021
Total births (all-time)≈ 36

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202120152023

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Wellesley is an English surname/place meaning about 'clearing by a spring,' linked to Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington. As a girl's name it is very rare and reads male, which we flag honestly (said 'WELZ-lee').

For girls it appears only very rarely in the U.S. Extremely rare, stately, and surname-style.

Did you know? Wellesley is an English surname and place-name, roughly 'clearing by a spring,' tied to the Duke of Wellington and to Wellesley College -- used here for a girl, though it reads male, which we flag honestly (said 'WELZ-lee').
Overall data confidence 46%
References -- Wellesley — FLAG: English surname/place; reads male. audio_use_respelling false.

Variations

WellsleyWelsleyWelleslee

Nicknames

WellesLee

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Wellesley…

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Ellery— a like refined surname pick
Sloane— a like stately unisex name
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By themeenglishplace-namesurnamecross-sex

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Wellesley mean?

Wellesley is an English surname and place-name (roughly 'clearing by a spring'); it reads male, which we flag.

How do you pronounce Wellesley?

It's said WELZ-lee /ˈwɛlz.li/ -- two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Wellesley a boy or girl name?

Wellesley is used here for a girl, but it reads male -- we flag the lean honestly.

How popular is Wellesley?

Wellesley is extremely rare for girls in the U.S.

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