Holding steady.
Popularity of Gwendola since 1914
Babies named Gwendola per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 52 |
| 1920s | 90 |
| 1930s | 58 |
| 1940s | 14 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 6 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Gwendola is a rare and idiosyncratic name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1914. Its peak year of use was 1920, reflecting a broader cultural trend during the 1920s for creative and feminine-sounding names. Although it never entered the top 1000 rankings, Gwendola has maintained a steady, if minimal, presence in birth records, with a stable trajectory over the decades. Without documentation of a traditional etymology, the name is best understood as a modern invention, likely blending the popular Welsh prefix 'Gwen-' with a melodic suffix. Its obscurity means it appears in no top states and has no widely recognized variants, but it offers a distinctive choice for those seeking a name with a vintage feel and a touch of whimsy.
Gwendola appears to be a 20th-century coinage, first recorded in the United States in 1914. It combines the popular prefix 'Gwen-' from Welsh names such as Gwendolyn (meaning 'white ring' or 'blessed') with the '-dola' suffix perhaps influenced by names like Viola or the word 'dole'. The name saw modest use during the 1920s and has since remained rare, never entering the top 1000 rankings. Its exact derivation is uncertain, and it is best understood as a creative modern formation rather than a name with deep historical roots.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gwen, Wendy, Dola
Sibling names for Gwendola
Names that share Gwendola's style, for a brother or sister.
