Find out how popular the first name Gwendolynn has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gwendolynn by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Gwendolynn is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 41 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Gwendolynn.

The history of the first name Gwendolynn

The name Gwendolynn is a feminine given name of Welsh origin, derived from the Welsh elements "gwen" meaning "fair" or "white," and "olynn" meaning "blessed." It is a variation of the name Gwendoline, which has its roots in the 6th century and is believed to have been borne by a Welsh female saint.

The earliest recorded use of the name Gwendolynn can be traced back to the Middle Ages, where it was occasionally used among Welsh nobility and royalty. One notable historical figure with this name was Gwendolynn ferch Llywelyn, a 13th-century Welsh princess and daughter of Llywelyn the Great, Prince of Gwynedd.

In literature, the name Gwendolynn appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's 12th-century work "Historia Regum Britanniae" (History of the Kings of Britain), where it is mentioned as the name of a mythical British queen. This literary reference may have contributed to the name's popularity during the medieval period.

Throughout history, the name Gwendolynn has been borne by several notable individuals. In the 17th century, Gwendolynn Hughes (1603-1675) was a Welsh writer and poet known for her religious works. In the 19th century, Gwendolynn Rees (1818-1892) was a prominent Welsh author and educator who wrote children's stories and educational materials.

Moving into the 20th century, Gwendolynn Brooks (1917-2000) was an acclaimed African American poet and teacher. She was the first Black author to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1950 for her book "Annie Allen." Another notable bearer of the name was Gwendolynn Killebrew (1940-2021), an American singer and actress who performed with the Platters vocal group in the 1960s.

In the world of sports, Gwendolynn Christie (born 1978) is a British actress and former semi-professional basketball player, best known for her role as Brienne of Tarth in the HBO series "Game of Thrones."

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Gwendolynn was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Gwendolynn, please contact us.

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