Contribute your knowledge to the name Gwendolyn

Comments and insights on the name Gwendolyn: | Edit

My five-year-old duaghter is named Gwendolyn. It's such a great name for a sweet little girl, and I think it's one she'll grow into as well. It fits in perfectly with other old-fashioned names that are popular right now like Emma and Abigail, but it's unusual and we rarely meet another Gwendolyn. (Not yet, anyways. Maybe it will catch on.). It also has great built in nicknames (Gwen, Wendy), although so far she likes using the whole name.

Personal experiences with the name Gwendolyn: | Edit

I am a Caucasian woman from 1982, and my name is Gwendolyn. Probably six of the eight encounters I've had in my life with other Gwendolyns have been African American women who are at least 15 years older than myself. I've always found that interesting.

My 17 mth old daughter is Gwendolyn (Gwendolyn Lee). We named her after my Nana who I am very close to, but I have loved the name as long as I can remember! I also love that it is an old fashioned classic name, but is not popular! I know 2 other Gwendolyns other than my Nana. One of them is in her 30s and the other was born just shy of a year after my Gwen to a childhood friend of mine. I get compliments on it ALL the time!!! I really hope it doesn't take off in popularity!

My husband and I named our first daughter Gwendolyn. He had five other children from two other relationships, and I thought that Gwen fit in with names like Jack, Emeline, Adella, Hudson, and Lillian. Lilly was especially happy about having a little sister, and she called her Gwenny Penny until she was seven! Gwen has four younger siblings, twins Piper and Scout, Bryce, and Cooper.

Nicknames for Gwendolyn: | Edit

Gwen, Wendy, Dolly, Gwennie, Lyn, Win/Wyn, Winnie, Ginny

Meanings and history of the name Gwendolyn: | Edit

Welsh, Merlin's wife, Goddess of the Moon

Famous real-life people named Gwendolyn: | Edit

Gwendolyn Bennett, American writer
Gwendolyn Bradley, American soprano
Gwendolyn Britt, American Democratic politician
Gwendolyn Brooks, American poet
Gwendolyn "Gwen" Ifill, American journalist and TV newscaster

Gwendolyn in song, story & screen: | Edit

Gwendolyn "Winnie" Cooper, character in the show The Wonder Years