Guinevere Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Guinevere is of Old Welsh origin, meaning 'fair one' or 'white enchantress.' The name evolved from 'Gwenhwyfar' in Old Welsh to its current form in Modern English. It gained popularity through Arthurian legends in the 12th century, depicting her as the beloved of King Arthur, which has shaped her image as a symbol of beauty and tragic love. There is no biblical relevance associated with the name.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Guinevere"
Pronunciation
/ˈɡwɪnɪvɪr/
Origin
Old Welsh
Etymology
The name Guinevere is derived from the Old Welsh name 'Gwenhwyfar,' which is composed of the elements 'gwen' meaning 'white' or 'fair' and 'hwyfar' meaning 'smooth' or 'soft.'
Meaning
Fair one, white enchantress
Language Evolution
Gwenhwyfar (Old Welsh), Guinevere (Middle English), Guinevere (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Guinevere became popular in the Arthurian legends, particularly in the 12th century with the works of Chrétien de Troyes, which romanticized the character as the wife of King Arthur.
Variants & Derivatives
Gwenhwyfar, Guinivere, Gwen, Gwenyfar
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Guinevere is often associated with romance and chivalry, symbolizing beauty and tragic love due to her story in Arthurian legends.
Famous People
Guinevere (legendary figure), Guinevere de Grancey (fictional character in various adaptations)
📊 Guinevere Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Guinevere Name Visualizations
✨ Guinevere Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 299 peak births in 2022
Geographic Spread
Popular across 33 US states, with strongest presence in Washington
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Guinevere" - Complete Guide (3 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Guinevere". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 3 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Guinevere" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Guinevere"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Guinevere"
"Guinevere" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2296th of 9107 | 261 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3639th of 9204 | 115 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 7019th of 12526 | 50 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4267th of 19264 | 220 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 5469th of 27321 | 244 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2818th of 35406 | 922 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1182nd of 30306 | 2,482 |
Regional Popularity of "Guinevere" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Guinevere" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
100.00% 3483rd/3483 |
- |
76.78% 3105th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
100.00% 4475th/4475 |
- |
68.20% 4308th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
56.46% 2587th/4582 |
60.19% 3108th/5164 |
53.23% 3893rd/7313 |
35.63% 2659th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
22.44% 894th/3984 |
32.58% 1462nd/4487 |
19.11% 1304th/6822 |
22.23% 1395th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Guinevere"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Guinevere" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Guinevere" in the United States
The name Guinevere is most popular in Washington, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Guinevere has been too falling for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Guinevere' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2296th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3639th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 7019th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4267th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5469th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2818th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1182nd out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Guinevere' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.