All about the name WELLES

Meaning, origin, history.

Welles is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It is derived from the surname Welles, which is of English and French origin. The name Welles is believed to have originated from the Old English word "well", meaning "spring" or "stream", and the Old French word "wall", meaning "enclosed space". Therefore, the name Welles can be interpreted as "living near a well-enclosed space".

The name Welles has a rich history dating back to medieval times. It is believed that the name was brought to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Over time, the name became associated with several notable figures in English and American history.

One of the most famous bearers of the name Welles was Orson Welles, an American actor, director, and producer who rose to fame in the 20th century. Born into a wealthy family, Welles began his career as a radio actor before transitioning to film. He is best known for his iconic role as Charles Foster Kane in the classic film "Citizen Kane", which he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in.

Despite its historic roots and notable bearers, Welles remains a relatively uncommon given name. However, it has gained some popularity in recent years, perhaps due to its unique sound and association with the talented Orson Welles. Overall, Welles is an unusual and striking name that carries a sense of history and elegance.

See also

English
French

Popularity of the name WELLES since 1880.

Number of births per year since 1880.

"Welles is an uncommon yet distinctive name, as demonstrated by the statistics from the United States. In both 2019 and 2020, there were only five babies named Welles each year, totaling to ten births in two years. This rarity makes Welles a unique choice for parents seeking a less common name for their child."