Guinevere reigned in Camelot and inspired the top name of the 1970s, too. But that hasn’t translated to mainstream use as a baby name – yet. Will a new movie make the difference?Thanks to Angel, Charlotte, and Mary Renee for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
Guinevere: Jennifer’s Grandmama
You know someone named Jennifer. I just know that you do – your sister, an aunt, a neighbor, a colleague, a friend. After all, the name dominated the top spot for more than a decade, and first entered the Top 100 back in 1956.
Guinevere is as rare as Jennifer is common. The name has never ranked in the US Top 1000, and just 176 girls received the name in 2015.
Of course, the name has more than tripled in use since 2010, so remember that rare is relative.
What connects Jennifer and Guinevere? The original name comes from Welsh. The first element means fair; the second, either phantom or wave. It started out something like Gwenhwyfar.
Geoffrey of Monmouth Latinized it as Guanhumara. The Italians remade it as Ginevra, while the Cornish transformed it to Jennifer.
Jennie and Jenny predate Jennifer as a short form of Jane; today, though, they’re simply part of a former number one name.
Guinevere: Queen
Because few women have answered to the name, we recognize the most famous Guinevere immediately. She reigned alongside King Arthur in Camelot. The happy ever after ended abruptly when the queen fell for the handsome knight Lancelot, and the betrayal brings down Arthur’s rule.
Versions of the story vary, from the rich and varied medieval tales to the Broadway version most of us know today. Descriptions of the queen vary, too, from a heartless schemer to a hopeless romantic.
Maybe the character’s ambiguous nature gave parents pause. After all, the story has been told and re-told countless times. Julie Andrews played the ill-fated queen on Broadway in the 1960s: Vanessa Redgrave donned the crown for the 1967 film version. Neither actress was the first to take on the role, either – it’s been adapted on stage for over a century.
Guinevere: After Camelot
A few prominent women answer to the name, but most uses are fictional:
- 1999 indie flick Guinevere won accolades, though it was a nickname for the main character.
- Mid-90s cartoon Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders called their main character Starla.
- Canadian television gave us a Buffy the Vampire Slayer-esque character in the early 2000s, named Guinevere Jones.
- Sara Domet penne a 2016 novel titled The Guineveres, about four girls who share the name, nicknamed Gwen, Ginny, Vere, and Win.
Guinevere: 21st Century Boost
Two factors explain the recent rise in use – and could signal more to come.
First, the fifth season of ABC’s successful fairytale series Once Upon a Time took us to Camelot. That comes a little too late to boost the name, though. And while a 2017 movie stars Charlie Hunnam as King Arthur, we’ll have to wait and see if it proves a hit.
The second factor fueling Guinevere’s rise depends on pure sound. Evelyn has soared. Genevieve, Evangeline, Vivian, and Vivienne all continue to climb.
If you love dramatic, literary, vaguely medieval, and distinctive names, this one belongs on your list. As nickname-rich as Elizabeth, as familiar as Charlotte, file Guinevere with familiar names that no one is using – for now.
Do you think this name will continue to rise?
This post was published on June 13, 2011. Following substantial revision, it was re-posted on March 8, 2017.
My Gwen is a Gwendolyn, because Guinevere felt too pretentitious for me. I studied in England for a semester, and I tried to imagine introducing myself as Guinevereover there (my version of the Starbucks test, I guess.) it never felt right, so we compromised. Since then, I’ve met Eowyns and Arwens, and now commenters named Guinevere, so I guess it does work. I’m happy with my Gwendolyn though.
I was just thinking about this name again today! I adore the nickname Gwen and am warming up to Vere, too. I think it’s the romantic/clunky aspect of Guinevere that draws me to the name. Wonderful post! It’s good hearing from the actual Guinevere’s in the comment section also.
I know of a LOT of Jennifers who have undergone name changes… one of them chose Gwenivere. It suited her.
Love love love this name! Thanks for revisiting it, it’s been on my mind quite a bit recently. So many great nicknames! I love Gwen best but our kids have a great-grandma Ginny who is a cool cat and would definitely appreciate such an awesome honour name.
My name is Guenevere I was born in 1968 and growing up I never had met another guenevere now it seems there are several 🙂 my family calls me Genny, most friends call me Guen or Guennie 🙂 at 43 I have learned to love it.
My name is Gwenevere (my parents were educators so I go the phonetic spelling). For much of my life people called me Gwen, until on my 30th birthday I reclaimed Gwenevere. People still ask me what it is for short and I say Gwenevere. I am also a teacher and many of the the children call my Gwenny. And as above many friends simply call me G. I like them all, except for Gwen.
My name is Guinevere, my father was Welsh so I was going to be Gareth or Guinevere. growing up I was nick named Guin and Guinie, however once my mother stopped being around to correct people it became Gwen and Gwennie which I don’t like so now every one calls me G. I never thought of Eve or Vera.
Hey…my name is also Guinevere…. never actually known anyone by that name until seeing this.. been called guine for my nick name also:-)
I’ve tried saying this name over and over again, and I only seem to be able to say it in a breathy, theatrical, faux-British voice as if I’m announcing someone on stage. I’ve noticed this with other equally lovely names such as Aurora, Anastasia, Rosamund and Isolde – I just don’t seem to be able to say them naturally as I don’t connect them with real people. I’m sure if I’d grown up with girls with these names, or even seen on TV regularly, all would be fine!
I spent a LOT of years in the Society for Creative Anachronism so I’ve known more than a few adults and children with all of the above names. And I used to babysit a sweet little Yseult.
I like Guinevere. I think it would be a great way to honor a Jennifer or even, as Charlotte mentioned, a Vera. I actually like the nn Vera best for Guinevere. I don’t really find the history too much of a barrier, as it’s probably not in most people’s consciousness. Unless, of course, you named her brother Lancelot 🙂
OH MY GOD!!! I loooovvvvveeeee Guinevere! This name is near the top of my girls list. I absolutely adore it! I never thought of Vera as a nickname (or even Neve), but I do like them. I really like Gwyn as a nickname the best. I love Arthurian legend, and I hope that these names someday get the credit that they deserve.