Guinevere
/ˈɡwɪnɪvɪər/noun
The legendary queen of King Arthur in medieval literature.
Did you know?The name is ultimately connected to Welsh Gwenhwyfar, and scholars usually link it to Celtic elements meaning something like “white/fair” plus “smooth” or “phantom,” though the exact original sense is debated.
Etymological Timeline
Early Medieval Welsh
Welsh
Gwenhwyfar
“A female personal name, later associated with Arthurian legend”
12th Century
Latin
Guenhuuara / Ganhumara
“Latinized spellings used by medieval writers”
12th–13th Century
Old French
Guenièvre / Guenievre
“Arthur's queen in French romance”
Middle English
English
Guinevere
“The name of King Arthur's queen in English literature”
Modern English
English
Guinevere
“The legendary queen of Arthurian tradition”