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Gwendolyn

Pronunciation: GWEHN-də-lin (key)
Names related to Gwendolyn: Gwen, Gwendolen, Wendy
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Origin of the name Gwendolyn:

English variant of the Welsh Gwendolen (fair-browed), a compound name composed of the elements gwen, gwyn (white, fair, blessed) and dolen (brows, eyebrows).

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Sibling Names for Gwendolyn...

Do you know any real life Gwendolyns?
What are their siblings named?

Adeline Alicia Allison Andrew Arthur Carolyn Charlotte Duncan Elizabeth Genie Grace Graham Gregory Henry Ivan James Kenneth Kyle Liam Lillian Nathan Rosaline Simon Stephanie Wendoly
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Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on 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.

This has got to be one of the ugliest names I've ever heard. It's ugly in the way that Hilda, Helga, Gertrude and other old Germanic names are. Hideous.

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!

Nicknames for Gwendolyn: | Edit

Gwen, Wendy, Dolly, Gwennie, Lyn

Meanings and history of the name Gwendolyn: | Edit
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Famous real-life people named Gwendolyn: | Edit

Gwendolyn Brooks, American writer, poet and the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize.
Gwendolyn Bennett, American writer and poet.
Gwendolyn "Gwen" Ifill, American journalist, television newscaster and author.
Gwendolyn MacEwen, Canadian novelist and poet.

Gwendolyn in song, story & screen: | Edit

Gwendolen from Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest (1895)
Gwendolyn "Winnie" Cooper from The Wonder Years, played by Danica McKellar

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