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Home › Baby Names Directory › Gwyneth

Gwyneth

♀ Girl

Pronounced GWIHN-ihth /ˈɡwɪn.ɪθ/Medium

Meaning: Irish peopleMedium

In 30 seconds: Gwyneth is a Welsh girl's name, traditionally read as 'Irish people'. It carries the distinctive 'Gwen' element common to Welsh names.
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Origin MediumWelsh, English
MeaningIrish people
U.S. rank (2025)#1771 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births114 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2013
Total births (all-time)≈ 6,656

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201319152025

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

Gwyneth is a Welsh name, often connected to the region of Gwynedd and given the sense 'Irish people'. The 'Gwyn' element runs through many Welsh names, where it commonly relates to fair or blessed qualities. The variations Gweneth, Gwenith, Gwenneth, Gwenyth and Gwynedd show its closeness to that place name.

The 'th' ending and the Welsh 'Gwyn' opening give the name a clear cultural stamp. Its best-known bearer is the actress Gwyneth Paltrow (born 1972), who won the Best Actress Oscar for 'Shakespeare in Love' in 1998.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Gwyneth is 'Irish people', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Gwyneth — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

GwenethGwenithGwennethGwenythGwynedd

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Gwyneth Paltrow (1972–present)
    Winner of the Academy Award for Best Actress for 'Shakespeare in Love' in 1998.
  • ★Gwyneth Keyworth (1990–present)
    Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.

If you like Gwyneth…

Gwendolyn— Shares the Welsh 'Gwen' element at its heart.
Gwen— The core Welsh element that opens Gwyneth.
Gwenyth— shares the -th ending
Lizbeth— lands in the same popularity range
Lillith— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Gwyneth

By themeenglishwelsh

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Gwyneth mean?

Gwyneth is usually explained as meaning 'Irish people' and is most often linked with Welsh tradition.

How do you pronounce Gwyneth?

It's commonly said GWIHN-ihth /ˈɡwɪn.ɪθ/.

Is Gwyneth a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Gwyneth is used as a girl name.

How popular is Gwyneth?

In 2024, Gwyneth ranked #1788 in the U.S. for girls, with 112 births recorded.

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