Branwen
/ˈbran.wɛn/noun
A Welsh feminine name, most famously borne by Branwen, a tragic heroine in the medieval Welsh tale *Branwen ferch Llŷr*.
Did you know?In the *Mabinogion*, Branwen is treated with extraordinary cruelty after her marriage to the king of Ireland, and her suffering helps trigger a catastrophic war between Britain and Ireland.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Celtic
Proto-Celtic
*branā + *windos
“Reconstructed elements meaning “raven” and “white” or “fair”; the exact formation is traditionally interpreted as “White Raven.””
Old Irish
Old Irish
bran
““Raven,” also used in Celtic personal names and mythology.”
Middle Welsh
Middle Welsh
bran
““Raven,” a powerful mythic and poetic symbol.”
Middle Welsh
Middle Welsh
gwen
““White,” “fair,” or “blessed”; the feminine form of Welsh gwyn.”
14th Century
Middle Welsh
Branwen
“The name of the heroine in *Branwen ferch Llŷr*, one of the Four Branches of the *Mabinogi*.”
Modern English
English
Branwen
“A Welsh feminine given name derived from the medieval literary character.”