Westin

Of course when we see the name Westin we can’t help but to think of the semi-upscale hotel chain. Perhaps he has a brother named Marriott and a sister named Starwood. We only jest. Obviously American parents aren’t naming their baby boys after a lodging option, but rather Westin is riding the wave of popularity created by a similar sounding surname-turned-first-name: Weston. Weston has been inching up the Top 1000 list pretty steadily since the beginning of the 21st century, so it’s no surprise that Westin appeared on the charts in 2009 to follow suit. Westin is less popular than Weston (or even Wesley), but he does share the “western” etymology. The directions of East and West have always held symbolic importance since they represent the directions from where the sun rises and to where it sets, respectively. The east usually symbolizes the dawning of a new day (which might attract some parents to the name Easton instead of Weston/Westin). The west, however, represents enlightenment and the Otherworld (or Afterlife). It’s symbolic of the unknown and of freedom – such as when the American pioneers moved westward. From this perspective, we get the appeal of the Weston/Westin names. The latter spelling, however, will always get connected to the hotel brand whether you like it or not.