Wesley

Western woodland or clearing.

Wesley began as a surname connected with English places whose names described woodland or a clearing to the west. That landscape is the source of its meaning; the masculine given name inherits it through the surname. The image is outdoorsy without naming a particular tree or flower. Combined with the compact rhythm and light ending, it can give Wesley a settled, relaxed character. English usage allows either an s or a z sound in the middle, so both ‘Wess-lee’ and ‘Wez-lee’ belong to the name.

Etymology: Wesley comes from an English surname based on place names containing Old English west and lēah, ‘woodland’ or ‘clearing’.