Guinevere is a feminine given name of Welsh origin. It is derived from the old Welsh name Gwenhwyfar, which is composed of two elements: gwen meaning "white" or "fair," and hwyar meaning "smooth" or "peaceful." Therefore, the name Guinevere can be interpreted as "white and smooth" or "fair and peaceful."
The name Guinevere gained significant popularity through its association with the legendary King Arthur and his court. In the tales of Camelot, Guinevere is portrayed as Queen Guinevere, the wife of King Arthur and the lover of Sir Lancelot. Although this connection has made the name widely known, it should be noted that there is no historical evidence to suggest that a real-life queen named Guinevere ever existed.
Despite its legendary roots, Guinevere has remained a popular choice for parents seeking unique yet elegant names for their daughters. Today, it continues to evoke images of ancient chivalry, romance, and the mysterious allure of Arthurian legend.
The statistics provided illustrate the annual number of births with the name Guinevere in the United States over a period spanning from 1912 to 2023.
From 1912 to 1967, the number of babies named Guinevere fluctuated yearly, ranging from a low of 5 births in several years (1945, 1947, and others) to a high of 18 births in 1970. The name's popularity seemed to peak around the late 1960s to early 1970s.
However, starting from the mid-1990s, there was a significant increase in the number of babies named Guinevere. In 1997, there were 36 births, which more than doubled by the year 2000 with 44 births. This trend continued to rise steadily, reaching 101 births in 2012 and peaking at 299 births in 2022.
In total, from 1912 to 2023, there were 4014 babies named Guinevere born in the United States. This data demonstrates a consistent but moderate usage of the name until the late 1990s, followed by a substantial increase in popularity over the past two decades.