A 1960s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Gwyn since 1915
Babies named Gwyn per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 32 |
| 1920s | 42 | 50 |
| 1930s | 94 | 78 |
| 1940s | 208 | 64 |
| 1950s | 443 | 39 |
| 1960s | 726 | 24 |
| 1970s | 262 | 12 |
| 1980s | 66 | 0 |
| 1990s | 22 | 0 |
| 2000s | 107 | 0 |
| 2010s | 87 | 0 |
| 2020s | 58 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Gwyn, a Welsh name meaning 'blessed, fair, or white', has a long history as both a masculine and feminine given name in Wales. In the United States, it first appeared in 1922 and reached its highest rank in 1962, when it was 9,457th overall. After declining in use for decades, the name has been on a rising trajectory since 1999, reflecting a renewed interest in short, lyrical names with Celtic roots. Today, around 1 in 160,727 babies are named Gwyn, making it a rare but distinctive choice. The name is closely tied to Welsh identity and mythology, as Gwyn ap Nudd is a prominent figure in medieval Welsh literature.
Gwyn originates from the Welsh word 'gwyn', meaning 'white, fair, blessed'. In Welsh mythology, Gwyn ap Nudd is the king of the Tylwyth Teg (the fairy folk). Historically, the name has been used as a given name for both sexes, though in modern times it is more common for girls. It is also a common element in place names and compound names like Gwyneth.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Gwyn
Names that share Gwyn's style, for a brother or sister.
