Olwyn

♀ Girl

Pronounced OL-win /ˈɒl.wɪn/Medium

Meaning: A variant spelling of the Welsh Olwen, from ol ('footprint; track') and gwen ('white; fair; blessed') — so 'white footprint'. In the Mabinogion tale of Culhwch and Olwen, white trefoil flowers spring up wherever Olwen walks, which is how the name is explained.Medium

In 30 seconds: Olwyn is Welsh Olwen — 'white footprint', for the flowers that sprang up wherever she walked (said 'OL-win').

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Origin MediumWelsh

MeaningA variant spelling of the Welsh Olwen, from ol ('footprint; track') and gwen ('white; fair; blessed') — so 'white footprint'. In the Mabinogion tale of Culhwch and Olwen, white trefoil flowers spring up wherever Olwen walks, which is how the name is explained.

U.S. rank (2024)#14787 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1970

Total births (all-time)≈ 22

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Olwyn is a spelling of the Welsh Olwen, built from ol ('footprint; track') and gwen ('white; fair; blessed'). The name belongs to one of the great tales of the Mabinogion: Culhwch and Olwen, in which the hero must complete impossible tasks to win her. The story says that white trefoil flowers sprang up wherever she set her foot — the very image the name paints. Old, lyrical, and unmistakably Welsh (said 'OL-win').

In the U.S. it appears only rarely. Rare here, a Welsh classic at home.

Did you know? In the Mabinogion, white trefoil blooms rise from the ground with every step Olwen takes — which is exactly what her name says: 'white footprint'.

Overall data confidence 60%

References — Olwyn — Welsh Olwen, ol 'footprint' + gwen 'white'; Culhwch and Olwen, Mabinogion

Variations

OlwenOlwennaOlwena

Nicknames

OllieWyn

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Olwyn…

Bronwyn— a like Welsh -wyn name

Rhiannon— a like Mabinogion heroine

Gwen— the 'white; fair' element it carries

Deryn— shares Olwyn's Welsh roots

Maelyn— echoes that soft -yn sound

Explore names like Olwyn

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By meaningFlower Beauty Gift / Blessing Wind / Air

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Olwyn mean?

Olwyn spells the Welsh Olwen, 'white footprint' — from ol ('footprint') and gwen ('white; fair').

How do you pronounce Olwyn?

It's said OL-win /ˈɒl.wɪn/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Olwyn a boy or girl name?

Olwyn is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Olwyn?

Olwyn is rare in the U.S. and better known in Wales.