The name Gwen is of Welsh origin and means "white wave" or "fair hair." It is derived from the ancient Welsh word "gwen," which refers to white or fair. The name has been used historically in Wales, with one notable figure being Gwenhwyfar, who was the wife of King Arthur in the legends of Camelot. Today, Gwen remains a popular girls' name not only in Wales but also around the world.
The name Gwen experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a notable increase in usage starting from around 1953 onwards. Prior to this period, the name was quite uncommon, with fewer than 100 births per year consistently. However, between 1953 and 1964, the number of annual births named Gwen peaked, reaching as high as 893 in 1959.
Following this peak, there was a steady decline in the usage of the name Gwen, with fewer than 500 births per year from 1965 onwards. This downward trend continued until the early 1970s, at which point the popularity of the name began to fluctuate more inconsistently. There were periods of increased usage, such as in the late 1970s and early 1980s, followed by decreases in popularity.
In recent years, the name Gwen has experienced a resurgence, with over 300 births per year recorded between 2015 and 2023. This rebound in popularity may be attributed to various factors, including shifting parental tastes, cultural influences, or even the influence of notable figures named Gwen.
Overall, the statistics demonstrate that while the name Gwen has not consistently maintained high levels of popularity throughout history, it has nonetheless been used by parents for their daughters over several decades, with varying degrees of frequency.