The story behind Gwendolyn
A variant of Gwendolen, Gwendoline with -lyn.
Pronunciation
US English (ARPAbet): G W EH1 N D AH0 L IH0 N
This is a US English dictionary reading of the spelling; personal pronunciations may differ. Digits mark stress: 0 is unstressed, 1 is primary, 2 is secondary. Pronunciation source and notation.
Popularity
Gwendolyn ranked #360 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Gwendolyn
Llewellyn
From Welsh Llywelyn.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Llewelyn
From Welsh Llywelyn.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Gajānan
Borrowed from Sanskrit गजानन (gajānana).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Ginewra
Borrowed from Welsh Gwenhwyfar, from English Guinevere.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Guinevere
From Middle English Gwenyver. Doublet of Jennifer.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
- same syllable count
- similar length
Abhijñān
Learned borrowing from Sanskrit अभिज्ञान (abhijñāna, “recognition”). By surface analysis, अभि- (abhi-) + ज्ञान (jñān).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Gwendolyn
Artur
Borrowed from English Arthur, from the name of the legendary king, from Middle English Arthure, from Medieval Latin Arthurus, probably from Welsh arth, from Proto-Celtic *artos.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Arwel
From Welsh, derivation uncertain. Possibly "prominent".
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Bowen
From Welsh ap Owain (“son of Owen”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Gwendolyn
Cadwallader
Borrowed from Welsh Cadwaladr.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Caradog
From Welsh Caradog. Doublet of Caradoc, Caratacus, Cedric, Craddock, Cradock, McCarthy, and McCarty.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends G
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Linette
In modern use a spelling variant of Lynette, though it is also identical with a rare French name, diminutive of Line, from Caroline, Pauline and other female names ending in -line.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length