Gwenivere Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Gwenivere is a Welsh name meaning 'fair' or 'blessed', derived from 'Gwenhwyfar'. It evolved from Old Welsh to Modern English through various forms. The name is often associated with the noble traits of beauty and grace, particularly in the context of Arthurian legends. There is no biblical relevance, but the name gained prominence during the medieval period and continues to evoke images of romance and chivalric tales.
The name Gwenivere is most popular in Colorado, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Gwenivere has been too falling for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Gwenivere' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 19264th out of 19264 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 7473rd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3634th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Gwenivere' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Gwenivere"
Pronunciation
/ɡwɛˈnɪvər/
Origin
Welsh
Etymology
The name Gwenivere is derived from the Welsh name 'Gwenhwyfar', which consists of the elements 'gwen', meaning 'fair' or 'blessed', and 'hwyfar', meaning 'smooth' or 'soft'.
Meaning
Fair, blessed, smooth
Language Evolution
Gwenhwyfar (Old Welsh), Gwenyver (Middle Welsh), Gwenivere (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Gwenivere gained popularity in the medieval period, especially in the context of Arthurian legends where Gwenivere is known as the wife of King Arthur.
Variants & Derivatives
Guinevere, Gwen, Gwenyver
Modern Popularity & Image
Gwenivere is perceived as a romantic and noble name, often associated with chivalry and the legends of King Arthur.
Famous People
Guinevere, the legendary queen in Arthurian literature, Gwenivere, a character in various adaptations of Arthurian legends
Explore More Gwenivere Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Gwenivere"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Gwenivere"
"Gwenivere" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 19264th of 19264 | 5 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 7473rd of 35406 | 241 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 3634th of 30306 | 514 |
Regional Popularity of "Gwenivere" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Gwenivere" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - |
81.68% 6096th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
67.67% 2696th/3984 |
78.18% 3508th/4487 |
66.40% 4530th/6822 |
72.23% 4533rd/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Gwenivere"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Gwenivere" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.