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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Olwen

45 replies

17caterpillars1mouse · 01/09/2019 21:18

What are your thoughts on Olwen for a girl

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SophyStantonLacy · 03/09/2019 11:14

I love Olwen. My piano teacher was called Olwen.

MikeUniformMike · 03/09/2019 10:50

Gwenhwyfar is the welsh form of Guinivere. Pronounced Gwen HUIvar
(the HUI like in Guinivere). Not as popular as Gaenor/Gaynor, but often will be the full name of a Gwen.
I think Gaenor is a nice name.

BingBongBay · 02/09/2019 23:03

Another very old welsh name is Gaenor, a form of Guinivere. How cool! I never knew that. I moved areas within Wales and suddenly I am surrounded by loads of Gaenors. It's interesting how different areas have different name trends.

MikeUniformMike · 02/09/2019 20:49

Another very old welsh name is Gaenor, a form of Guinivere.

BlackKittyKat · 02/09/2019 20:44

Love it. Olly as NN.
It was on my list.

BackforGood · 02/09/2019 20:00

I like it. Proper traditional Welsh name, but not too difficult for us English folk to cope with Blush

LucieFurr · 02/09/2019 19:57

I think it's lovely

MikeUniformMike · 02/09/2019 19:54

Olwen is an old name. It's from a tale called Culhwch ac Olwen. Look it up.

daisypond · 02/09/2019 17:42

Super. I know a lovely 20-year-old one.

GRW · 02/09/2019 17:42

It was my grandmother's name. I like it and it seems unusual.

haverhill · 02/09/2019 17:37

I like it a lot.

31RueCambon75001 · 02/09/2019 17:32

Interesting @MikeUniformMike thanks

31RueCambon75001 · 02/09/2019 17:31

Arwen not as nice. Bit lotr

CacenCrunch · 02/09/2019 17:30

It's a bit dated. How about Arwen instead? I wanted that but had 2 boys

BelfortGabbz · 02/09/2019 17:29

Up there with Agnes for ugliness.

MikeUniformMike · 02/09/2019 17:29

It's lovely. The spelling is Olwen. Anyone who spells it Olwyn is mistaken - Olwyn is the welsh word for wheel.
-wyn names are for boys, and -wen for girls. Although many names have a girl and boy version, e.g. Alwyn, Alwen, Elwyn, Elwen, Olwyn is not a boy's name.

Disfordarkchocolate · 02/09/2019 17:19

I once knew a lovely Olwen so I definitely like it.

IsobelRae23 · 02/09/2019 17:15

I live in wales, I’m 38, and went to school with two Olwen’s, never heard the name since to be honest.

Mustangsallyis · 02/09/2019 13:55

Love it. It's a friend's mum's name.

Mamabear88 · 02/09/2019 13:54

It makes me picture a 90 year old

SilverySurfer · 02/09/2019 13:29

I thought Olwen was a boy's name. My DM was Olwyn which I think sounds better for a girl.

user1493494961 · 02/09/2019 09:20

Very dated. All the Olwen's I've heard of are either dead or 70+.

Mamimawr · 02/09/2019 08:51

I know at least three little girls called Olwen, it seems to be much more popular than when I was in school / college. There was only one in school with me.
It's a nice name, I like it.

BingBongBay · 02/09/2019 08:47

-wen is the female suffix, -wyn is the male. Olwyn actually means wheel in Welsh, so is a pretty terrible mis-spelling of a name to lumber a child with!
I am 1st language Welsh, and Olwen is considered an old lady name, a bit like Mildred or Doris- but is making a comeback because of that trend of old fashioned names. I know three baby Olwens now.

BlueEyedBengal · 02/09/2019 08:44

O l w e n damed spell correct Blush

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