Gwenhwyfar
/ɡwɛnˈhʊɨvar/noun
A Welsh feminine name, best known as the Welsh form of Guinevere.
Did you know?The first element is usually linked to Welsh gwen, meaning “white, fair, blessed,” while the second is debated but often connected to a form meaning “smooth, phantom, or spirit,” making the name feel eerily luminous.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Celtic
PCelt
*windos
“white, bright, fair”
Proto-Celtic
PCelt
*sweɸnos / *sweɸrā
“likely related to a form meaning phantom, spirit, or smoothness (etymology uncertain)”
Old Welsh
Welsh
Guenhuuar / Gwenhwyfar
“a female personal name”
Medieval Welsh
Welsh
Gwenhwyfar
“the name of Arthurian Guinevere”
Old French
OF
Genievre / Guenièvre
“French form of the name used in Arthurian romance”
Middle English
English
Guenevere / Guinevere
“Arthur’s queen in English literature”
Modern English
English
Guinevere
“a female given name, especially Arthur’s queen”