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Home › Baby Names Directory › Gwendolen

Gwendolen

♀ Girl

Pronounced GWEN-doh-len /ˈɡwɛn.də.lɛn/High

Meaning: From the Welsh gwen, 'white; fair; blessed', + dolen, 'a ring; a bow/link' (or bann, 'a brow'), hence 'a white/blessed ring; a fair brow'Low

In 30 seconds: A white/blessed ring; fair brow: Gwendolen is Welsh. Lyrical, classic, and warm.
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Origin LowWelsh
MeaningFrom the Welsh gwen, 'white; fair; blessed', + dolen, 'a ring; a bow/link' (or bann, 'a brow'), hence 'a white/blessed ring; a fair brow'
U.S. rank (2025)#9072 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births11 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1971
Total births (all-time)≈ 888

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197119032025

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

Gwendolen comes from the Welsh gwen, 'white; fair; blessed', + dolen, 'a ring; a bow/link' (or bann, 'a brow'), hence 'a white/blessed ring; a fair brow'. A lyrical, classic name (said 'GWEN-doh-len'; nickname Gwen).

In the U.S. it appears as a classic Welsh name. Rare, a-white-ring at the root, and classic.

Did you know? Gwendolen joins the Welsh gwen, 'white; fair; blessed', and dolen, 'a ring', hence 'a white/blessed ring' — a lyrical, classic name (said 'GWEN-doh-len').
Overall data confidence 42%
References — Gwendolen — Welsh etymology

Variations

GwendolynGwendolineGwenllian

Nicknames

GwenWendy

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Gwendolen…

Gwendolyn— a kin spelling
Rhiannon— a sound-neighbor Welsh girls' name
Carys— a companion Welsh girls' name
Gwen— shares Gwendolen's Welsh roots
Gwenivere— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Gwendolen

By themeclassicwelsh
By meaningBeautyGift / BlessingWind / Air

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Gwendolen mean?

Gwendolen is Welsh for 'a white/blessed ring; a fair brow' (gwen, 'white/fair', + dolen, 'a ring').

How do you pronounce Gwendolen?

It's said GWEN-doh-len /ˈɡwɛn.də.lɛn/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Gwendolen a boy or girl name?

Gwendolen is a girl's name.

How popular is Gwendolen?

Gwendolen is a rare name in the U.S.

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