What Does the Name Wells Mean?
Wells is a unisex name of English (Old English) origin meaning “springs / wells (one who lives by the springs).”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Wells |
|---|---|
| Gender | unisex |
| Origin | English (Old English) |
| Meaning | springs / wells (one who lives by the springs) |
| Variants | Welles, Wel |
| Popularity | Most popular in the United States, where it is an uncommon surname-name used predominantly for boys but occasionally for girls. |
The meaning and origin of Wells
The name Wells means “springs / wells (one who lives by the springs)” and has English (Old English) origins. Wells is an English habitational and topographic surname from Old English 'wella' (spring, well), denoting someone who lived near springs, as in the city of Wells. It is now used as a surname-style given name.
Variants and related names
Wells is related to several other names you may recognize: Welles, Wel. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Wells?
Most popular in the United States, where it is an uncommon surname-name used predominantly for boys but occasionally for girls.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Wells mean?+
The name Wells means “springs / wells (one who lives by the springs)” and is of English (Old English) origin.
What is the origin of the name Wells?+
Wells originates from English (Old English).
Is Wells a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Wells has trended in the US over time.
Wells by gender
More unisex names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press