Wess is an uncommon and distinctive given name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German element "wesi," meaning "west." It is often associated with the direction west, symbolizing sunset, twilight, or the end of a journey. The name Wess was particularly popular among early medieval Germanic tribes and has been used sparsely throughout history. Today, it remains quite rare but may be chosen for its unique sound, brevity, or to honor familial or cultural heritage.
The name Wess experienced fluctuating popularity over the past century and a half, with periods of higher frequency around the late 1950s to early 1970s, and again from the mid-1980s onwards. However, it never became exceptionally common, with annual births ranging between 5 and 16 in most years. The name appears to have declined somewhat in recent decades, but there was a slight resurgence in the late 2010s and early 2020s.