Entry № 2483 · Welsh origin

Gwen Gwen — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ GWEN /
Gender
Girl
Origin
Welsh
Meaning
"White, blessed (Gwen Stefani; Gwen Verdon)"
Syllables
1
Rank · US 2025
№ 0
First recorded
Medieval (Welsh)

A name that means "white, blessed (gwen stefani; gwen verdon)".

Gwen is from the Welsh gwen ("white, fair, blessed, holy") — the feminine of gwyn and the root of Gwendolen, Gwyneth, and Guinevere. Gwen Stefani (born 1969) — American singer-songwriter; lead vocalist of No Doubt (whose Don't Speak topped charts in 17 countries) and solo artist whose Hollaback Girl (2005) was the first US single to sell one million digital downloads. *Co-founder of L.A.M.B. fashion line; coach on The Voice; married Blake Shelton in 2021. Gwen Verdon (1925-2000)American Broadway dancer and actress; four-time Tony Award winner (1954, 1956, 1958, 1959); the muse and longtime collaborator of choreographer-husband Bob Fosse — originated the female leads in Damn Yankees, Sweet Charity, and Chicago. Gwen Ifill (1955-2016) — first Black woman to host a national US political talk show (Washington Week*).

Subject of Fosse/Verdon (2019 FX miniseries) starring Michelle Williams.

White, blessed. Gwen Verdon's four Tony Awards; Gwen Stefani's first million digital downloads single.

The name in its native script.

Gwen
Transliteration
Gwen
Pronunciation
/ ɡwɛn /
Root
Grammatical form

Where Gwen stands.

Current rank · 2025
№ 0 in the U.S.
All-time peak
№ 444 in 1955
Babies named Gwen · last year
110 in the U.S.
First entered SSA top-1000
1880
Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular
№25 №75 №150 №250 1995 2005 2015 2020 2025 PEAK · #444 NOW · —

Gwens before her.

Real people
Gwen Stefani
American singer.
born 1969
Gwen Verdon
American Broadway dancer.
1925 – 2000
Gwen Ifill
American journalist.
1955 – 2016
In fiction
Gwen Stacy
Spider-Man.
1965

Names connected to Gwen.

The number behind Gwen.

5

The Free Spirit

Gwen reduces to five — the number of Welsh white.

Why families chose this name.

"Welsh white. Four letters. Gwen."
Carys · Mother of one · Cardiff