Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Gwen
GirlWelsh· “white, fair, blessed”
- Meaning
- white, fair, blessed
- Origin
- Welsh
- Pronunciation
- GWEHN
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #725
- US babies 2025
- 384
- Best rank
- #295 (1959)
- Peak year
- 1959
Meaning and origin of Gwen
Gwen is a Welsh name that means “white, fair, blessed”.
Gwen is a Welsh name from gwen, the feminine form of gwyn, meaning white, fair or blessed. It is also a short form of longer names such as Gwendolyn and Guinevere, the queen of King Arthur in legend. Gwen has been used in Wales for centuries and became popular throughout the English-speaking world in the twentieth century. Singer Gwen Stefani and comic book character Gwen Stacy have kept it familiar. It is short, bright and quietly strong, with a Celtic spark.
Popularity over time
Gwen first appears in US Social Security records in 1890. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 95 different years, starting in 1899. Its best national rank was #295 in 1959, the same year it reached its highest count of 942 babies. In 2025, 384 babies were named Gwen, and it ranked #725 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #754 in 1920, #379 in 1950, #875 in 1980, #2,292 in 2000, #1,410 in 2010, and #725 in 2025. Of the 32,617 US girls named Gwen since records began, 21% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 5,961 babies. Since 2010, 4,930 more have been named Gwen.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Debby, Nadine, Jeanine, Kathi, and Tamra.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Gwen ranked highest in Utah, Idaho, and Massachusetts.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | #140 | 32 |
| Idaho | #373 | 6 |
| Massachusetts | #453 | 12 |
| Indiana | #497 | 14 |
| Maryland | #520 | 10 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Gwen is usually pronounced GWEHN, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with G and ends in “-en”.
Middle names for Gwen
A few middle names that flow with Gwen: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Gwen
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Lists that include Gwen
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gwen mean?
Gwen is a Welsh name that means “white, fair, blessed”.
What is the origin of the name Gwen?
Gwen has Welsh roots. Gwen is a Welsh name from gwen, the feminine form of gwyn, meaning white, fair or blessed.
Is Gwen a popular name?
Yes. Gwen ranked #725 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Gwen a boy or girl name?
Gwen is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Gwen?
Gwen is usually pronounced GWEHN. 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