Gwendolyn
Gwendolyn is a girl's name of Welsh origin.
Meaning
Blessed ring, fair bow, or white circle.
Origin and history
Gwendolyn is a female name of Welsh origin, derived from elements meaning 'blessed', 'white', or 'fair' and 'ring' or 'bow'. It gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the late 19th-century Celtic revival and remains a classic choice in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
124,385 babies in the United States have been named Gwendolyn since 1880. It ranks #319 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #381.
States where it is most popular
- TX (7.2 %)
- CA (5.7 %)
- NY (5.6 %)
- IL (5.4 %)
- GA (5.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 45 |
| 1890-1900 | 205 |
| 1900-1910 | 775 |
| 1910-1920 | 4,331 |
| 1920-1930 | 8,658 |
| 1930-1940 | 10,108 |
| 1940-1950 | 18,344 |
| 1950-1960 | 31,945 |
| 1960-1970 | 18,635 |
| 1970-1980 | 7,914 |
| 1980-1990 | 3,838 |
| 1990-2000 | 2,983 |
| 2000-2010 | 4,548 |
| 2010-2019 | 7,174 |
| 2020-2029 | 4,882 |
Famous people named Gwendolyn
- Gwendolyn Brooks: Poet, Author
Nicknames
Gwen, Gwyn, Wendy, Gwenny
Fun facts
- The name stems from medieval Welsh traditions, notably associated with legends recorded by Geoffrey of Monmouth.
- It was revived in English-speaking countries in the 19th century alongside other traditional Celtic names.