Wells

♀ Girl

Pronounced WELZ /ˈwɛlz/High

Meaning: An English place/surname — from the Old English wella, 'a spring/well', hence 'a dweller by the springs'; used for both sexes; we note the surnameLow

In 30 seconds: A dweller by the springs: Wells is an English surname. Crisp, modern, and warm. Used for both sexes.

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Origin LowEnglish

MeaningAn English place/surname — from the Old English wella, 'a spring/well', hence 'a dweller by the springs'; used for both sexes; we note the surname

U.S. rank (2024)#8897 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births12 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2019

Total births (all-time)≈ 161

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Wells is an English place/surname — from the Old English wella, 'a spring/well', hence 'a dweller by the springs' (we note the surname). Used for both sexes, here for a girl (slug distinguished; said 'WELZ').

In the U.S. it appears as a modern surname-name. Rare, by-the-springs at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Wells comes from the Old English wella, 'a spring/well', hence 'a dweller by the springs' — a crisp surname-name, used for both sexes (we note the surname; said 'WELZ').

Overall data confidence 34%

References — Wells — surname; unisex

Variations

WellesWelsh

Nicknames

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By themeenglish unisex surname-name place-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Wells mean?

Wells is an English surname, 'a dweller by the springs' (from wella, 'a spring'); used for both sexes; here for a girl. We note the surname.

How do you pronounce Wells?

It's said WELZ /ˈwɛlz/ — one syllable.

Is Wells a boy or girl name?

Wells is used for both sexes (more often boys'); this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Wells?

Wells is a very rare name for girls in the U.S.