Gwendolen: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	12	1	–	#1,680
1910s	28	3	+133%	#2,056
1920s	33	3	+18%	#3,379
1930s	21	2	-36%	#3,273
1940s	19	2	-10%	#3,724
1950s	76	8	+300%	#2,564
1960s	157	16	+107%	#2,114
1970s	209	21	+33%	#2,306
1980s	41	4	-80%	#6,049
1990s	16	2	-61%	#11,894
2000s	40	4	+150%	#11,215
2010s	157	16	+293%	#5,030
2020s (to 2025)	80	13	-15%	#6,435

Decade

Girls

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

#1,680

1910s

+133%

#2,056

1920s

+18%

#3,379

1930s

-36%

#3,273

1940s

-10%

#3,724

1950s

+300%

#2,564

1960s

157

+107%

#2,114

1970s

209

+33%

#2,306

1980s

-80%

#6,049

1990s

-61%

#11,894

2000s

+150%

#11,215

2010s

157

+293%

#5,030

2020s (to 2025)

-15%

#6,435

The story of Gwendolen

Gwendolen is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #9,072 in 2025 with 11 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1903, 889 American babies have been named Gwendolen. Its peak came in 1971, when 34 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1970s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Gwendolen stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Gwendolen?

The median living Gwendolen is about 49 years old; half are between 11 and 57. An estimated 800 people named Gwendolen are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Gwendolen year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank
2025	11	#9,072
2024	13	#8,122
2023	17	#6,759
2022	11	#9,266
2021	10	#9,820
2020	18	#6,435
2019	14	#7,879
2018	13	#8,303
2017	15	#7,594
2016	27	#5,046
2015	27	#5,030
2014	22	#5,861
2013	16	#7,521
2012	9	#11,602
2011	7	#13,859
2010	7	#13,991
2009	6	#15,928
2008	8	#13,019
2007	5	#18,609
2006	–	–
2005	9	#11,215
2004	6	#14,800
2003	–	–
2002	6	#14,210
2001	–	–
2000	–	–
1995	–	–
1990	6	#11,894
1985	–	–
1980	11	#6,049
1975	24	#2,994
1970	18	#3,477
1965	10	#4,303
1960	8	#4,920
1955	6	#5,441
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	8	#3,273
1930	–	–
1925	8	#3,832
1920	–	–
1915	6	#3,973
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Gwendolen, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Gwendolen?

The median living Gwendolen is about 49 years old. Half of all living Gwendolens are between 11 and 57 years old.

How many people named Gwendolen are alive today?

An estimated 800 people named Gwendolen are alive in the United States, based on 889 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Gwendolen mean?

From Welsh Gwendolen, from gwen (“white, fair, blessed”) +‎ dolen (“ring, bow, hair, brow”).

How popular is the name Gwendolen in 2025?

Gwendolen ranked #9,072 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 11 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Gwendolen?

889 babies have been named Gwendolen in the United States since 1903, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Gwendolen most popular?

Gwendolen peaked in 1971, when 34 newborns received the name.

Is Gwendolen a boy or girl name?

Gwendolen is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Gwendolen rising or falling?

Gwendolen is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Gwendolen

Gwendolen popularity over time

The story of Gwendolen

How old are people named Gwendolen?

Gwendolen year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Gwendolen