Westley is a name of English origin, derived from the Old English word "west", which means "from the west". It is often associated with the direction or the sunset. The name Westley has been used for centuries and was popular during the Middle Ages in England.
The name Westley gained popularity as a given name in the United States during the 20th century, particularly after it was used by author William Goldman for one of the main characters in his novel "The Princess Bride", published in 1973. In the story, Westley is a farmhand who becomes a skilled swordsman and saves his true love, Buttercup, from being married to another man.
Despite its popularity in recent years, Westley remains relatively rare compared to other names like William or John. It has been consistently ranked among the top 1000 baby boy names in the United States since the 1970s but has never reached higher than number 684 in popularity.
In terms of its meaning and history, Westley is a name that carries a sense of direction and adventure, reflecting its origins from the Old English word for west. It also has associations with love and heroism due to its use in "The Princess Bride". However, it is important to note that names are often chosen for their sound or personal significance rather than their literal meanings.
Overall, Westley is an uncommon yet distinctive name with a rich history and meaningful origins. Its popularity may have been influenced by literature, but its true appeal lies in its unique sound and its connection to the concept of west as a symbol of exploration and new beginnings.
Statistics on the given name Westley show a fluctuating trend over time in the United States.
In terms of annual occurrences, there were five births each in 1988 and 2015. The years following saw varied numbers: six births in both 2017 and 2020, five births in 2018, a peak of ten births in 2021, and nine births in the most recent year available, which is 2023.
Looking at the cumulative data over this period, there were a total of fifty-one Westleys born in the United States. These figures illustrate how the popularity of the name Westley has ebbed and flowed over time, with peaks in certain years followed by declines in others.