Namemas: Gwendolen

Happy Namemas day 5! Today is a beautiful feminine name filled with history and nicknames. It has a nice meaning that just fits the fifth day of Christmas.

History

Gwendolen is an ancient Welsh name dating back to the year 1138. Geoffrey of Monmouth first used the name Gwendolen in History of the Kings of Britain. In the story Gwendolen was a queen who defeated her husband in battle. Just 12 years later the same author used the name Gwendolen in Life of Merlin for the wizard's wife. In 1813, Gwendolen was used as the name of the fairy mistress of King Arthur.

Popularity
Although the name has been around for 881 years it has never ranked in the top 1000 with the Gwendolen spelling. The alternative spelling, Gwendolyn, ranked at #871 in 1880. In 2018, the same spelling ranked at #372. I can see the appeal of Gwendolyn to American parents. It's has the popular  -lyn ending parents like.

Possible Nicknames
Gwendolen has some great nicknames. There are a feel vintage beauties in the mix. One of the reasons I really like the name Gwendolen is for her many nicknames.

Gwen, Gwennie, Dolly, Winnie, Wendy, Gigi, Lynn, Glen 

Christmas Association 

On the fifth day of Christmas

my true love sent to me:

5 Golden Rings

4 Calling Birds

3 French Hens

2 Turtle Doves

and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Gwendolen is my pick for Namemas day 5. The name means white ring so not exactly gold rings. There is white gold out there that looks almost silver. White is also a color of Christmas and associated with snow. Here in the northern hemisphere snow is a common and wished for thing on Christmas. Everyone wants a white Christmas!