Gwen

Meaning: White, blessed
Origin: Welsh — Short form of Gwendolen or Guinevere

Girl's name · #725 in the US (2025) · Comeback

Popularity over time

Gwen was #295 in 1959, slipped to #3114 by 1995, and has climbed back to #725 today. About 33,000 girls have carried it since 1890.

Across the states

In recent years, Gwen ran 4–6× its national rate in Utah and Idaho.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 30 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Gwen ranks in other countries and regions.

#378 in Netherlands (2025) · #483 in Ireland (2025) · #742 in Canada (2025) · #997 in England & Wales (2025) · #1,073 in Switzerland (2025) · #2,203 in Sweden (2025) · #2,648 in France (2025) · #3,245 in Ecuador (2025) · #3,742 in Italy (2024) · #2,564 in Austria (2022) · #636 in Scotland (2020) · #844 in Poland (2014) and 2 more.

Famous Gwens

Gwen Stefani — American singer (born 1969)
Gwen John — Welsh painter (1876–1939)
Gwen Verdon — American actress and dancer (1925–2000)
Gwen Shamblin — American dietitian and cult leader (1955–2021)
Gwen Ifill — Panamanian-American journalist, television newscaster, and author (1955–2016)

In stories & tradition

Gwen Stacy — The Amazing Spider-Man (film)
Gwen Tennyson — Character from the Ben 10 franchise
Gwen Cooper — Fictional character from the television series Torchwood

What Gwens become

Among 263 notable people named Gwen:

Entertainers appear 2.01× more often than among typical names — e.g. Gwen Stefani, American singer (born 1969).

Similar names: Lana · Gwendolyn · Fallon · Arden · Eileen · Ryan

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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