Selwyn is a unique and distinctive given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English words "seolh" meaning "sun" and "wine" which means "friend". Thus, Selwyn translates to "friend to the sun".
The name Selwyn was first recorded in England during the 12th century as a surname, but it wasn't until the late 19th century that it began to be used as a given name. It is believed that the name was popularized by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's character, Dr. John Watson's friend and colleague, who shared the same name in his Sherlock Holmes stories.
Throughout history, Selwyn has been associated with notable individuals, such as the English poet and novelist, Rudyard Kipling, whose maternal grandfather was named Selwyn; and the American politician and diplomat, Richard Selwyn, who served as the United States Ambassador to Norway from 1962 to 1965.
Today, Selwyn remains a rare but captivating name, often chosen by parents looking for something unique and meaningful for their child. It is a name that carries a sense of warmth and friendliness, while also conveying a deep appreciation for nature and beauty.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Selwyn has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States.
The peak of popularity for the name Selwyn was during the late 1920s to early 1930s, with 32 births in 1928 being the highest recorded. This was followed by another spike in popularity with 37 births in 1962. However, after these peaks, the popularity of the name Selwyn began to decline significantly.
From the mid-1950s onwards, the number of births with the name Selwyn consistently fell below 20 per year, reaching its lowest point in recent years with only 5 births recorded in both 2001 and 2017. Since then, the popularity of the name Selwyn has seen a slight resurgence, with 8 births recorded in each of the years 2015, 2016, and 2018.
Overall, while the name Selwyn has had periods of popularity throughout history, it has generally been a less common name choice compared to many others. However, its unique sound may appeal to parents looking for an uncommon yet meaningful name for their child.