Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Gwendolyn
GirlWelsh· “fair or blessed ring”
- Meaning
- fair or blessed ring
- Origin
- Welsh
- Pronunciation
- GWEHN-duh-lihn
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #360
- US babies 2025
- 848
- Best rank
- #112 (1951)
- Peak year
- 1953
Meaning and origin of Gwendolyn
Gwendolyn is a Welsh name that is usually said to mean “fair or blessed ring”.
Gwendolyn is Welsh in origin. The first part, gwen, means white, fair or blessed, and appears in many Welsh names. The second part is usually linked to dolen, meaning ring or loop, though some scholars read it differently, so the full meaning is best taken as likely rather than certain. Geoffrey of Monmouth told of a legendary British queen named Gwendolen, and Victorian writers kept the name in view: Gwendolen Harleth in George Eliot's Daniel Deronda and Gwendolen Fairfax in Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. The poet Gwendolyn Brooks gave it a modern American association. Gwen and Wendy are the classic short forms.
Popularity over time
Gwendolyn has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 140 different years. Its best national rank was #112 in 1951, and the most babies received it in 1953, when 3,519 were named Gwendolyn. In 2025, 848 babies were named Gwendolyn, and it ranked #360 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #236 in 1920, #113 in 1950, #441 in 1980, #732 in 2000, #561 in 2010, and #360 in 2025. Of the 124,385 US girls named Gwendolyn since records began, 26% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 18,635 babies. Since 2010, 12,056 more have been named Gwendolyn.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Charlene, Claudia, Yvonne, Roberta, and Roxanne.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Gwendolyn ranked highest in Oregon, Ohio, and Indiana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | #163 | 22 |
| Ohio | #168 | 66 |
| Indiana | #177 | 39 |
| Montana | #184 | 6 |
| New Hampshire | #185 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Gwendolyn is usually pronounced GWEHN-duh-lihn, with three syllables. It has nine letters, starts with G and ends in “-yn”.
Middle names for Gwendolyn
A few middle names that flow with Gwendolyn: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Gwendolyn
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Lists that include Gwendolyn
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gwendolyn mean?
Gwendolyn is a Welsh name that is usually said to mean “fair or blessed ring”.
What is the origin of the name Gwendolyn?
Gwendolyn has Welsh roots. Gwendolyn is Welsh in origin.
Is Gwendolyn a popular name?
Yes. Gwendolyn ranked #360 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Gwendolyn a boy or girl name?
Gwendolyn is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Gwendolyn?
Gwendolyn is usually pronounced GWEHN-duh-lihn. 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