The name Gwen is of Welsh origin and means "white wave" or "fair hair." It is derived from the ancient Welsh word "gwen," which refers to white or fair. The name has been used historically in Wales, with one notable figure being Gwenhwyfar, who was the wife of King Arthur in the legends of Camelot. Today, Gwen remains a popular girls' name not only in Wales but also around the world.
The statistics provided show the number of births given the name Gwen in the United States from 1890 to 2023. Over this period, the popularity of the name has varied significantly.
From 1890 to around 1950, the number of babies named Gwen remained relatively low, with fewer than 100 births per year on average. However, starting in the mid-1950s, there was a significant increase in the popularity of the name Gwen. Between 1954 and 1963, the number of annual births with this name ranged from approximately 670 to 893.
After reaching its peak in 1963, the popularity of the name Gwen began to decline. By 1972, the number of annual births had dropped below 300. This downward trend continued through the late 1970s and early 1980s, with fewer than 200 babies named Gwen born each year on average.
However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of the name Gwen. Since around 2002, the number of annual births with this name has increased significantly, reaching over 300 births per year again by 2015. In fact, in 2022, there were 340 babies named Gwen born in the United States.
Overall, these statistics illustrate how the popularity of the name Gwen has fluctuated over time in the United States. While it may have been relatively uncommon in earlier decades, it has seen periods of significant popularity and appears to be experiencing a resurgence once again in recent years.