Westlake

Westlake is a toponym and surname of English origin, typically derived from a lake located to the west of a settlement. The name has been adopted for several places and for various families and organizations.

In geography, the best-known Westlake is Westlake, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland in Cuyahoga County. It is a residential community with commercial areas and planned developments, including shopping and recreation facilities that serve its population. Another notable locality is Westlake, Louisiana, a city in Calcasieu Parish near Lake Charles, which combines residential neighborhoods with proximity to regional industry and transportation routes. The name is also used for smaller communities, neighborhoods, and unincorporated areas in other parts of the United States and beyond.

As a surname, Westlake has been borne by various individuals. Donald E. Westlake (1933–2008) was an American writer known for his crime fiction, publishing many works under the pen name Richard Stark. The name is also used by organizations and companies, such as Westlake Chemical Corporation, a U.S. petrochemical company with operations in North America.

Overall, Westlake appears in geography, literature, and business, reflecting its origins as a descriptive place name that has spread to urban, corporate, and cultural contexts.