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      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name West

      Origin

      English

      Meaning

      From the West

      Variations

      Westin, Weston, Westry
      The name West is derived from the English language and holds the meaning From the West. The term West references the cardinal direction towards which the sun sets in the evening, historically associated with concepts such as dusk, evening, and the end of the day. As a name, West gained prominence during medieval times when individuals started adopting monikers based on their geographic points of origin or the cardinal directions. In this context, the name West indicated that an individual or their ancestors hailed from a place towards the western horizon.

      Throughout history, the name West has appeared in various contexts. For instance, it is found in English literature, where it was used as a name for fictional characters to depict a sense of direction or journey. Additionally, it has been adopted as a given name, indicative of parents desiring their child to symbolize characteristics such as resilience, adventure, or embracing the unknown.

      In modern times, the usage of the name West has expanded beyond its literal meaning. It is not uncommon to find the name West in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Moreover, the name West has also gained popularity as a given name, possibly influenced by notable figures such as Kanye West, an American rapper and fashion designer. Overall, the name West continues to maintain its historical roots while also finding new interpretations in contemporary society.

      Based on our records...

      Johnson

      Johnson

      This is the most common surname associated with West.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

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      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1880 is when there were the most people born with the first name West.

      Explore the origins of another name.