Guinevere

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Guinevere

Gender: Feminine
Language: French, Welsh
Etymology:
Guinevere is the French form of Gwenhwyvar, a Welsh name. Originally it meant “White Wave,” “White Lady,” or “Fair Smooth,” from “gwen” (white) and “hwyvar” (smooth).

History:
Gwenhwyvar, the Welsh name, was adopted and Frenchified to Guinevere by the Normans as the name of the queen in their version of the Arthurian legends. Guinevere was not used as a personal name until the 15th century, and it has never become really popular, probably because the French Queen Guinevere was an adultress.

Pronunciation: GWEN-ah-veer.

Diminutives from Guinevere: Gwen, Gwenn, Gwenna.

Alternates from Guinevere: Guanhumara, Guinever, Geneva, Genevra, Ginevra, Guenever, Guenevere, Gwenhevore, Quinevere.
Cornish: Jennifer.
English (Middle): Gaenor, Ganor, Ganore, Gaynor, Gaynore, Guener, Gueanor, Gwenore, Wannour, Wannore.
Scottish: Guanor, Vanora, Wander.
Welsh: Jennifer.

See also: Gaenor, Jennifer, Ginevra.

Famous Bearers:
Fictional Characters:
Guinevere
The name of King Arthur’s adulterous queen.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.031 % named Gwen
0.002 % named Gwenn
less than 0.001 % named Guinevere

Popularity of Gwen:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1910: 832nd most popular.
1910-1920: 641st most popular.
1920-1930: 702nd most popular.
1930-1940: 413th most popular.
1940-1950: 382nd most popular.
1950-1960: 325th most popular.
1960-1970: 406th most popular.
1970-1980: 593rd most popular.
1980-2000: N/A