Holding steady, #9,457 for girls today.
Popularity of Bronwen since 1941
Babies named Bronwen per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 82 |
| 1950s | 67 |
| 1960s | 111 |
| 1970s | 189 |
| 1980s | 126 |
| 1990s | 101 |
| 2000s | 99 |
| 2010s | 69 |
| 2020s | 28 |
Meaning & origin
Bronwen is a Welsh feminine name meaning 'white breast,' derived from the elements bron (breast) and gwen (white, fair). Though recorded in the United States since 1941, it has always been exceptionally rare, ranking 9,457 in the most recent year 2025 with a 1-in-160,727 birth rate. Its peak year of usage was 1975, consistent with a broader interest in Celtic names during the 1970s. The trajectory of Bronwen has been stable, never experiencing a dramatic surge or decline, and it remains a distinctive choice deeply rooted in Welsh mythology and culture.
Bronwen is a Welsh name composed of the elements bron (breast) and gwen (white, fair, blessed). In Welsh mythology, Bronwen is a figure in the Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh tales. The name has been used in Wales for centuries and saw a revival in the English-speaking world during the 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bron, Bren, Wen
Variants: Bronwyn
Sibling names for Bronwen
Names that share Bronwen's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Gwen, Rhiannon, Cerys, Arianwen, Megan, Arwyn, Enid, Glenys, Glynis, Gwenda, Gwendolynn, Gwenn, Gwyn, Gwyneth, Gwynne, Merideth, Wynne, Anwen, Deryn, Gaynor, Glennys, Glynda, Glynna, Gwenna, Gwynneth, Riannon, Gwenlyn, Kerensa, Rhiannan, Winefred
Brothers: Dylan, Owain, Gareth, Rhys, Llewellyn, Bevan, Bren, Caron, Carvin, Delwyn, Glendon, Glyn, Griffith, Howell, Ivor, Llewyn, Merwyn, Powell, Berwyn, Madoc, Nesta, Pryce, Taliesin, Shuan, Jowan, Llewelyn, Myrick
