Gwendolyn
How to say it: GWEN-duh-lin · /ˈɡwɛndəlɪn/
Welsh name from 'gwen' (white, fair, blessed) + 'dolyn' (ring, bow); meaning fair ring or blessed bow.
Gwendolyn was the 376th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 848 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1950s, its births are up about 6% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #382 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #376 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 848 |
| Share of births | 1 in 3,823 |
| Peak decade | 1950s |
| Change over 10 years | +6% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #382 |
| In France, 2025 | #1,735 among girls’ names, 0 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Gwendolyn touched its high in the 1950s then faded badly by the 1990s. Back in use but still well below its best, it is expected to slip.
What goes with it
With three full syllables blending soft flow and crisp consonants, it feels storied. Gwen makes a natural short form, while Rosalind shares its style.
Middle names that flow with Gwendolyn →
Parents who love Gwendolyn also love
Nicknames
- Gwen
- Wendy
- Gwyn
- Doly
- Lynn
Other spellings
Honouring a Gwendolyn in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Gwendolyn is about 1 in 160.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French, Welsh.
In France: #1,735 for girls in 2025.
Famous people named Gwendolyn
- Gwendolyn Brooks (1917–2000)American writer
- Gwendolyn Rutten (born 1975)Flemish politician
- Gwendolyn B. Bennett (1902–1981)American writer
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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