Gwendolen
From Welsh Gwendolen, from gwen (“white, fair, blessed”) + dolen (“ring, bow, hair, brow”).
Every Gwendolen since 1903 — 889 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Gwendolen
Gwendolen is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #9,072 in 2025 with 11 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1903, 889 American babies have been named Gwendolen. Its peak came in 1971, when 34 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Gwendolen stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Gwendolen year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | #9,072 |
| 2024 | 13 | #8,122 |
| 2023 | 17 | #6,759 |
| 2022 | 11 | #9,266 |
| 2021 | 10 | #9,820 |
| 2020 | 18 | #6,435 |
| 2019 | 14 | #7,879 |
| 2018 | 13 | #8,303 |
| 2017 | 15 | #7,594 |
| 2016 | 27 | #5,046 |
| 2015 | 27 | #5,030 |
| 2014 | 22 | #5,861 |
| 2013 | 16 | #7,521 |
| 2012 | 9 | #11,602 |
| 2011 | 7 | #13,859 |
| 2010 | 7 | #13,991 |
| 2009 | 6 | #15,928 |
| 2008 | 8 | #13,019 |
| 2007 | 5 | #18,609 |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | 9 | #11,215 |
| 2004 | 6 | #14,800 |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | 6 | #14,210 |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | 6 | #11,894 |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | 11 | #6,049 |
| 1975 | 24 | #2,994 |
| 1970 | 18 | #3,477 |
| 1965 | 10 | #4,303 |
| 1960 | 8 | #4,920 |
| 1955 | 6 | #5,441 |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | 8 | #3,273 |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | 8 | #3,832 |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | 6 | #3,973 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gwendolen mean?
From Welsh Gwendolen, from gwen (“white, fair, blessed”) + dolen (“ring, bow, hair, brow”).
How popular is the name Gwendolen in 2025?
Gwendolen ranked #9,072 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 11 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Gwendolen?
889 babies have been named Gwendolen in the United States since 1903, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Gwendolen most popular?
Gwendolen peaked in 1971, when 34 newborns received the name.
Is Gwendolen a boy or girl name?
Gwendolen is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Gwendolen rising or falling?
Gwendolen is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.