Welty is a rare yet intriguing English given name derived from Old English 'wæl', meaning 'stranger' or 'foreigner'. It may also stem from the Norman surname Wheatley, associated with those living near wheat fields. Though historically uncommon and lacking notable historical figures, Welty has been used throughout history, predominantly in southern U.S. states. Today, it is closely linked to American author Eudora Welty, winner of the 1973 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.