Declining since 2008, #6,546 for girls today.
Popularity of Gwendalyn since 1940
Babies named Gwendalyn per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 34 |
| 1950s | 88 |
| 1960s | 70 |
| 1970s | 85 |
| 1980s | 61 |
| 1990s | 100 |
| 2000s | 342 |
| 2010s | 303 |
| 2020s | 124 |
Meaning & origin
Gwendalyn is a modern, elaborate spelling of the classic Welsh name Gwendolen, which has roots dating back to medieval Wales. The name first appeared on U.S. records in 1940 and saw its peak popularity in 2008, when more parents favored the 'lyn' ending over the traditional 'len'. Since then, usage has steadily declined; in 2025 it ranked 6,546th with approximately 1 in 94,545 baby girls receiving the name. The traditional Gwendolen remains more common, but Gwendalyn offers a distinctive option for those seeking a familiar yet unique name with a rich Celtic heritage.
Gwendalyn is a modern elaboration of the Welsh name Gwendolen, which itself derives from the Welsh elements "gwen" (white, fair, blessed) and "dolen" (ring, bow, or eyebrow). The name has been used in Wales since the Middle Ages, though the Gwendalyn spelling is a 20th-century innovation that gained modest popularity in the United States during the 2000s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gwen, Wendy, Lyn, Wenna
Variants: Gwendolen, Gwendoline, Gwendolyn, Gwendelyn, Gwendaline
Sibling names for Gwendalyn
Names that share Gwendalyn's style, for a brother or sister.
