Gwendolyn Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Gwendolyn is predominantly used for girls. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Gwendolyn?
Gwendolyn is spelled G-W-E-N-D-O-L-Y-N. The name has 9 letters.
Gwendolyn at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for girls
- Meaning
- Gwendolyn is commonly believed to mean “white ring” or “white bow,” derived from Welsh language elements.
- Origin
- Gwendolyn is associated with Welsh origins, possibly deriving from the elements “gwen” meaning “white, fair” and “dolen” meaning “ring, loop.”
- Pronunciation
- gwen-duh-lin · 3 syllables
Gwendolyn Popularity in 2025
Rank#360
Recorded Births848
- Girls usage rose 33 places to #360 and recorded 44 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Gwendolyn Mean?
Gwendolyn is commonly believed to mean “white ring” or “white bow,” derived from Welsh language elements.
Origin: Gwendolyn is associated with Welsh origins, possibly deriving from the elements “gwen” meaning “white, fair” and “dolen” meaning “ring, loop.”
How Do You Pronounce Gwendolyn?
Pronunciationgwen-duh-lin
Syllables3
What Is the History of the Name Gwendolyn?
- History
- Gwendolyn has been used as a feminine given name in English-speaking countries and appears in various literary sources and name dictionaries linking it to Welsh heritage.
Gwendolyn Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 848 | #360 |
| 2024 | Girls | 804 | #393 |
| 2023 | Girls | 814 | #378 |
| 2022 | Girls | 802 | #389 |
| 2021 | Girls | 794 | #397 |
| 2020 | Girls | 820 | #378 |
| 2019 | Girls | 852 | #370 |
| 2018 | Girls | 845 | #371 |
| 2017 | Girls | 822 | #377 |
| 2016 | Girls | 826 | #402 |
| 2015 | Girls | 791 | #405 |
| 2014 | Girls | 764 | #422 |
| 2013 | Girls | 651 | #471 |
| 2012 | Girls | 592 | #514 |
| 2011 | Girls | 513 | #565 |
| 2010 | Girls | 518 | #561 |
| 2009 | Girls | 522 | #582 |
| 2008 | Girls | 527 | #589 |
| 2007 | Girls | 455 | #651 |
| 2006 | Girls | 458 | #628 |
| 2005 | Girls | 508 | #564 |
| 2004 | Girls | 476 | #590 |
| 2003 | Girls | 458 | #597 |
| 2002 | Girls | 453 | #576 |
When Was Gwendolyn Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1953 · Girls
3,519 recorded births
National rank #112
1955 · Girls
3,457 recorded births
National rank #122
1954 · Girls
3,409 recorded births
National rank #122
1956 · Girls
3,377 recorded births
National rank #128
Where Gwendolyn Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Girls
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| OR | #158 | 22 |
| OH | #164 | 66 |
| MT | #168 | 6 |
| NH | #174 | 7 |
| IN | #175 | 39 |
| UT | #184 | 25 |
| MO | #205 | 30 |
| ME | #209 | 5 |