Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Arwen
GirlEnglish· “noble maiden; coined by Tolkien”
- Meaning
- noble maiden; coined by Tolkien
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- AHR-wehn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,384
- US babies 2025
- 158
- Best rank
- #1,278 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2023
Meaning and origin of Arwen
Arwen is an English name that is usually said to mean “noble maiden; coined by Tolkien”.
Arwen was created by J. R. R. Tolkien for The Lord of the Rings, where Arwen Undómiel is an elf maiden who gives up her immortality for love of Aragorn. In Tolkien's invented Sindarin language, the name is usually explained as noble maiden. It also resembles Welsh names like Arwyn, which may have influenced its sound. Fans of Tolkien have embraced it as a graceful, literary choice, and the film adaptations brought it wider attention.
Popularity over time
Arwen first appears in US Social Security records in 1968. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,278 in 2023, the same year it reached its highest count of 179 babies. In 2025, 158 babies were named Arwen, and it ranked #1,384 nationally. That is 36% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #2,699 in 1980, #9,977 in 2000, #2,365 in 2010, and #1,384 in 2025. Of the 3,299 US girls named Arwen since records began, 32% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 949 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Sana, Maeva, Ameera, Emeri, and Zinnia.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Arwen ranked highest in Kansas, Kentucky, and Colorado.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | #594 | 5 |
| Kentucky | #663 | 6 |
| Colorado | #718 | 7 |
| Wisconsin | #806 | 5 |
| Washington | #933 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Arwen is usually pronounced AHR-wehn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with A and ends in “-en”.
Middle names for Arwen
A few middle names that flow with Arwen: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Arwen
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Lists that include Arwen
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Arwen mean?
Arwen is an English name that is usually said to mean “noble maiden; coined by Tolkien”.
What is the origin of the name Arwen?
Arwen has English roots. Arwen was created by J.
Is Arwen a popular name?
Not especially. Arwen ranked #1,384 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Arwen a boy or girl name?
Arwen is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Arwen?
Arwen is usually pronounced AHR-wehn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings