Gwen
Gwen: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɡwɛn/
Meaning and origin of Gwen
- A female given name from Welsh.
- A diminutive of the female given names Gwendolen and Guinevere
Etymology
A female given name from Welsh. * Borrowed from Welsh Gwen. * Clipping of Gwendolen. Doublet of Wendy. * Clipping of Guinevere. Doublet of Jen.
How popular is Gwen?
Since 1880, 32,617 girls and 294 boys in the U.S. have been named Gwen (99% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #295 in 1959. Its highest rank for boys was #1975 in 1949. In 2025 it ranked #725 for girls, with 384 babies given the name.
Names similar to Gwen
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Welsh girl names
Sibling name ideas for Gwen
Sister and brother names that share Gwen's Welsh roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Gwen FAQ
What does the name Gwen mean?
A female given name from Welsh. A diminutive of the female given names Gwendolen and Guinevere A female given name from Welsh. * Borrowed from Welsh Gwen. * Clipping of Gwendolen. Doublet of Wendy. * Clipping of Guinevere. Doublet of Jen.
What is the origin of the name Gwen?
Gwen is listed as a name of Welsh origin.
How popular is the name Gwen?
Since 1880, 32,617 girls and 294 boys in the U.S. have been named Gwen (99% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #295 in 1959. Its highest rank for boys was #1975 in 1949. In 2025 it ranked #725 for girls, with 384 babies given the name.
Is Gwen a boy or girl name?
Gwen is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 32,617 girls and 294 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.