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Home › Baby Names Directory › Branwen

Branwen

♀ Girl

Pronounced BRAN-wen /ˈbræn.wɛn/Medium

Meaning: From the Welsh Branwen, 'blessed/fair raven; white raven' (bran, 'raven', + gwen, 'white/blessed/fair'); the tragic heroine of the Mabinogion, sister of Bran; we note the mythLow

In 30 seconds: Blessed/fair raven: Branwen is a Welsh goddess-heroine. Lyrical, classic, and warm (said 'BRAN-wen'). We note the myth.
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Origin LowCeltic
MeaningFrom the Welsh Branwen, 'blessed/fair raven; white raven' (bran, 'raven', + gwen, 'white/blessed/fair'); the tragic heroine of the Mabinogion, sister of Bran; we note the myth
U.S. rank (2019)#15930 ↘ Falling
2019 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1975
Total births (all-time)≈ 42

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201519752019

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Branwen comes from the Welsh Branwen, 'blessed/fair raven; white raven' (bran, 'raven', + gwen, 'white/blessed'); the heroine of the Mabinogion (we note the myth). A lyrical, classic name (said 'BRAN-wen').

In the U.S. it appears very rarely as a mythology name. Rare, fair-raven at the root, and lyrical.

Did you know? Branwen is 'blessed/fair raven; white raven' in Welsh (bran + gwen) — the tragic heroine of the Mabinogion, sister of the giant Bran — a lyrical, storied name (we note the myth; said 'BRAN-wen').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Branwen — Celtic mythology; Mabinogion

Variations

BronwenBranwenn

Nicknames

Bran

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Branwen…

Bran— her brother
Rhiannon— a fellow Mabinogion woman
Gwen— the 'blessed' element of her name
Arden— shares Branwen's Celtic roots
Ceridwen— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Branwen

By thememythologyceltic

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Branwen mean?

Branwen is Welsh for 'blessed/fair raven; white raven' (bran + gwen); the heroine of the Mabinogion. We note the myth.

How do you pronounce Branwen?

It's said BRAN-wen /ˈbræn.wɛn/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Branwen a boy or girl name?

Branwen is a girl's name.

How popular is Branwen?

Branwen is a very rare name in the U.S.

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