Guinevere
Guinevere is a girl's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
White phantom, fair one, or white wave.
Origin and history
Guinevere is a given name of Welsh origin, derived from the ancient name Gwenhwyfar, which means 'fair lady' or 'white phantom'. Famously borne by King Arthur's queen in medieval legend, it has seen a steady revival in contemporary U.S. naming trends. The name offers a romantic, literary alternative to more common classic names.
Popularity in the United States
4,592 babies in the United States have been named Guinevere since 1880. It ranks #2580 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #908.
States where it is most popular
- CA (14.9 %)
- TX (14.3 %)
- OH (8.2 %)
- FL (5.8 %)
- NY (5.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 132 |
| 1920-1930 | 145 |
| 1930-1940 | 68 |
| 1940-1950 | 46 |
| 1950-1960 | 29 |
| 1960-1970 | 39 |
| 1970-1980 | 167 |
| 1980-1990 | 163 |
| 1990-2000 | 183 |
| 2000-2010 | 589 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,390 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,641 |
Famous people named Guinevere
- Guinevere Turner: Actress, Screenwriter
- Guinevere van Seenus: Model
Nicknames
Gwen, Gwyn, Gwinny, Winnie, Vera
Fun facts
- Guinevere was famously the Queen of Britain and wife of King Arthur in medieval romance.
- The modern name Guinevere is the Norman French spelling of the original Welsh name Gwenhwyfar.