Gwendolyn

Meaning: white ring; blessed bow · Origin: Welsh · Gender: usually a girl's name

Origin & history

From Welsh gwen ('white, fair, blessed') + dolen ('ring, bow'). Gwendolyn Brooks was the first Black author to win a Pulitzer Prize (1950).

Famous people named Gwendolyn

Gwendolyn Brooks (poet)

Nicknames

Gwen, Wendy

Variants & related names

Gwendolen, Gwendoline

Gwendolyn name art

A free preview of a printable “Gwendolyn” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name Gwendolyn mean?

Gwendolyn means “white ring; blessed bow”. It comes from Welsh.

Is Gwendolyn a popular name?

Yes — Gwendolyn has been one of the most popular girls' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for Gwendolyn?

Gwen, Wendy.

What are other forms of Gwendolyn?

Gwendolen, Gwendoline.

Similar names

Megan · Grace · Gianna · Gabriella · Georgia · Gemma

More: names starting with G · all girls' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.