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Gwendolyn Girl

Popularity: #352 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationGWEN-doh-lin / ˈɡwɛndəˌlɪn

Welsh; English

Meaning

Welsh: fair and blessed; English: white ring

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Gwendolyn has its roots in the Welsh language, derived from the elements "gwen," meaning "white" or "blessed," and "dolen," which translates to "ring" or "loop." This etymological composition suggests a meaning akin to "blessed ring" or "fair circle." The name appears in various forms throughout Welsh history, with Gwendolyn being a later Anglicized version that gained popularity in the English-speaking world, particularly from the 19th century onward.

Historically, the name Gwendolyn is associated with figures from Welsh mythology and literature. One notable figure is Gwendolyn, the daughter of the legendary King Gwyndd, who appears in various medieval Welsh tales. The name also gained prominence through its association with the Arthurian legends, where Gwendolyn is sometimes linked to the character of Guinevere, though the two names are distinct. The name's literary presence was further solidified in the 19th century by authors such as Alfred Lord Tennyson, who used it in his works, contributing to its romantic and noble connotations.

Culturally, Gwendolyn embodies themes of beauty, purity, and nobility, resonating with the ideals of chivalry and romanticism prevalent in medieval literature. The name has been embraced in various forms, including Gwendolyn and Gwendolynne, reflecting its adaptability across different cultures and languages. Its enduring appeal can be attributed to its lyrical quality and the rich tapestry of stories and legends associated with it, making it a name steeped in historical and cultural significance.

Trend Summary

Gwendolyn has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable increase in usage since the late 20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Gwendolynne

International Variants

  • Gwendolen (English)
  • Gwendolyn (English)

Famous people named Gwendolyn

Gwendolyn Brooks is a poet best known for We Real Cool, Annie Allen, and The Bean Eaters.

Gwendolyn Christie is an actress best known for Game of Thrones, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and The Sandman.

Gwendolyn McBride is a singer best known for her work in classical music and opera.

Fictional characters named Gwendolyn

Gwendolyn is a fictional character from the animated series The Owl House. She is a powerful witch who serves as a mentor and guide to the main characters.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Gwendolyn was first seen in the United States in 1880. Gwendolyn has ranked as high as #205 nationally, which occurred in 1953, and has been most popular in California, New York, Illinois, Georgia, and North Carolina. In the past 5 years the name Gwendolyn has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Gwendolyn (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 72
10%
TX 59
8%
OH 49
7%
IL 37
5%
PA 32
4%
NY 32
4%
VA 29
4%
IN 26
4%
FL 25
3%
NC 22
3%
UT 21
3%
MN 21
3%
WI 21
3%
AZ 19
3%
WA 19
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18805
18815
18866
18878
18889
188912
189011
18916
189218
189315
189416
189528
189624
189727
189833
189927
190037
190139
190257
190362
190475
190568
190687
1907100
1908127
1909123
1910151
1911194
1912276
1913298
1914382
1915575
1916574
1917577
1918657
1919647
1920758
1921819
1922771
1923849
1924884
1925889
1926848
1927960
1928988
1929892
1930959
1931893
1932929
1933926
19341,002
1935984
1936944
19371,084
19381,205
19391,182
19401,222
19411,268
19421,380
19431,535
19441,525
19451,560
19462,062
19472,450
19482,506
19492,836
19503,039
19513,192
19523,329
19533,518
19543,409
19553,458
19563,376
19573,302
19582,668
19592,653
19602,547
19612,535
19622,508
19632,257
19641,893
19651,702
19661,414
19671,337
19681,241
19691,200
19701,220
19711,081
1972870
1973764
1974795
1975791
1976731
1977586
1978543
1979533
1980486
1981444
1982432
1983392
1984359
1985410
1986370
1987317
1988310
1989318
1990314
1991314
1992317
1993267
1994289
1995228
1996282
1997311
1998315
1999347
2000317
2001374
2002453
2003458
2004476
2005508
2006458
2007455
2008527
2009522
2010518
2011513
2012592
2013651
2014764
2015791
2016826
2017822
2018845
2019852
2020820
2021794
2022801
2023814
2024802