Today’s Name of the Day has us stumped. Is it best suited for a pint-sized cowboy or a little English lord? Is it an aging choice to leave behind with Cody and Corey, or an enduring classic à la Henry?
Thanks to Another for suggesting our Name of the Day: Wesley.
Comb through the US Social Security data and, in every decade, you’ll find popular, two-syllable boys’ names that end in -y. From the early 20th century, there’s Henry, Harry, Stanley and Harvey; the Baby Boomers were Gary, Larry, Jerry and Terry; more recently, we’ve heard Cody, Corey and Casey, as well as Brady, Riley and Bailey.
Wesley has been around in every one of those eras, ranking in the US Top 200 every year since 1880. In 1977, he rose as high as #66; he fell, then climbed again to #92 in the 80s. Today, Wesley stands at #195, but don’t count him out just yet.
Originally an English surname meaning west meadow, it’s a conventional place name.
The name picks up its cowboy flair thanks to the outlaw John Wesley Hardin. By all historical accounts, Hardin was a thoroughly unsavory character. But in pop culture, he’s a romanticized hero, thanks to Johnny Cash’s Hardin Wouldn’t Run and Bob Dylan’s John Wesley Harding. (We’re not certain where Dylan picked up the g, but it’s clear he’s referring to the same figure.) Movie and television depictions further glamorize Hardin’s tale.
Johnny Cash’s lyrics called him Wes, and plenty of Wesleys also favor that distinctive diminutive.
Interestingly, Wesley seems to be one of the few masculine names that ends in -ee or -lee that hasn’t been discovered by parents raiding boys’ names for their daughters. It’s always possible you’ll meet a little girl Wesley (or Weslie or Westleigh), but it’s not likely.
Maybe that’s because even with his impeccably English roots and softer sound, the most famous Wesleys are tough guys. Consider:
- Actor and action hero Wesley Snipes, known for his prowess in the martial arts and his portrayal of a half-vampire hero in the Blade series;
- Retired US Army General – and Rhodes scholar – Wesley Clark, best known as a candidate for the Democratic party’s presidential nomination in 2004;
- Wesley A. Brown, the first African American graduate of the US Naval Academy;
- Fictional Englishman Wesley Wyndam-Pryce, who went from zero to hero in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel television series;
- Master of horror Wes Craven, who introduced Freddy Krueger to the nightmares of millions of movie-goers.
The name entered common use in the 1800s as a means to honor John Wesley, found of the Methodist movement. Bad guy John Wesley Hardin’s minister father named him in honor of the theologian.
Not every Wesley has been a bruiser. Two others come to mind: indie filmmaker Wes Anderson, of The Royal Tennenbaums fame, and brainy character Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation. The fictional Wesley may’ve been named in honor of Star Trek creator Gene Rodenberry – Wesley was his middle name.
We like Wesley, and we think he stands up well, fitting in with trendy choices like Brady, but standing a little taller and straighter for all of his history. He’s also one to consider in the middle spot, subbing for classic filler choices William or James. While his sound is undeniably soft, his story is rough’n’tumble – it’s a nice compromise between hyper-masculine choices like Jett or Blade and more romantic options like Sebastian or Tristan.
My five year old boy is named Wesley. I agree that it’s hard to pin down: wimp or tough guy? Although my little guy leans more towards the weenie artsy bookish end of the spectrum, I can’t imagine that his name is going to cause him any problems in life. I always planned to call him Wes, but no one ever does.
My two main associations with this name (other than my son, of course) are 1) Wesley Snipes and 2) This really really really good looking cool guy in high school.
And Lola, if Josephine DOES come home with a boy named Wesley … well that would just be too perfect!
Emmy Jo, I think that’s just it – Ashley is (sadly) verboten for boys now, but Wesley still works.
Is he hefty or wimpy? (LOL, Another!) I think that’s the surprising thing. He *should* be wimpy, based on sound alone. But nothing in his story or pop culture references says anything other than “tough guy.” Well – maybe Wesley Crusher is the exception. But really, much as my ear tells me that Wesley is weak, every association I have for him is strong.
Plus, the nickname Wes sounds strong and confident.
We probably wouldn’t use him – we have a strong bookworm streak and I remain stunned that our firstborn is athletic. (Recessive genes, I suppose – either that or he was switched at birth.) But for a family with a reasonable expectation of producing a rough’n’tumble kid, I think Wesley is fair game – and Wes works, even if he ends up playing football for West Point or something equally impressively macho.
Emmy Jo, your other kitten’s name is coming up in a few days. 🙂
I love Wesley! When I was in high school, it was my #1 favorite boys’ name (after I realized I really couldn’t get away with Ashley on a son). I abandoned it because I decided it just didn’t seem historical or literary enough, but I just may have to put it back on my list.
While we’re on the topic, I used to have two kittens named Calvin and Wesley — yes, after the theologians. 🙂
I am thoroughly charmed by Wesley (and *sigh* over Westley, a la “Princess Bride” & Cary Elwes) [There’s another name for ya: Cary!] You forgot that one!
I think Wes is sprightly, handsome and sharp. And I’d be willing to say he’s more Hefty, Hefty, Hefty. 🙂 I like him for the “Bride” connection, the Roddenberry connection and well, the other half thinks the Vampire thing is wicked cool. Necermind the “horror” connection coolness.
Another, Calvin & Wesley might be a bit too religious for brothers but Wesley pairs well with thngs like Timothy, Geoffrey, Philip (to toss in a non – y ender!) or even Emmett. I would hate to see Wesley on a girl (I don’t think I could even pretend to admore it should I meet one… “oh, um… pretty dress, sweetheart, what beautiful eyes she has!” would be me).
I really do like Wesley, he wanders onto & off my own lists. Mainly off because I am a “Princess Bride” Geek and think it’s far too obvious of me but I would absolutely *swoon* should Josephine come home with a boy named Wesley sometime down the road! He’s absolutely aces to me!
I like Wesley a lot! I’m just not sure if he’s heft, hefty, hefty or wimpy, wimpy, wimpy. I haven’t made up my mind. Would this be like Calvin, which at the last minute I couldn’t bring myself to name my child? Or is it a stronger name, one that I wouldn’t be a bit ashamed about? I do like it, though!