Wei
Primarily a boy's name of Chinese origin with 283 recorded births. Also given to 79 girls.
Meaning & Origin
An ancient Chinese march during the Zhou dynasty
Wei is a boy's and girl's baby name of Chinese origin, from the Chinese characters 威 (wēi) meaning 'power, might, dignity' or 魏 (Wèi) — one of the ancient Chinese states during the Warring States period. Wei was also one of the Three Kingdoms of ancient China, making this a name loaded with historical resonance.
Wei has the crystalline simplicity of Chinese monosyllabic names — one syllable carrying enormous historical weight and the aspiration of power and dignity.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Wei is rooted in the Chinese tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1970 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Wei’s rarity (283 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Wei has 29+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1970.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 8 | #9637 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 68 | #7198 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 108 | #5539 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 68 | #5461 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 31 | #5147 | — |
The Story of Wei
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 1998, Wei is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Wei are most likely born between 1988 and 2008.
How rare is Wei?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Wei is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1970, peaked in the 1990s with 108 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Wei by the numbers
- Would fill 6 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(29 years, 1970–2017)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 8 | #9637 |
| 2007 | 6 | #12290 |
| 2004 | 14 | #5794 |
| 2003 | 14 | #5542 |
| 2002 | 9 | #7613 |
| 2001 | 15 | #5134 |
| 2000 | 10 | #6813 |
| 1999 | 12 | #5640 |
| 1998 | 18 | #4010 |
| 1997 | 17 | #4052 |
| 1996 | 13 | #4866 |
| 1995 | 11 | #5489 |
| 1994 | 12 | #5099 |
| 1993 | 10 | #5756 |
| 1991 | 10 | #5496 |
| 1990 | 5 | #9446 |
| 1989 | 14 | #4014 |
| 1988 | 6 | #7240 |
| 1987 | 7 | #6070 |
| 1986 | 10 | #4445 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Wei as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Wei has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 79 births since 1983.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wei a boy's or girl's name?
When was Wei most popular?
How popular is the name Wei?
Can Wei be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1970–2017