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Baby names

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

Original poster

Olwen

64 replies

ZebraKid71 · 03/10/2020 08:55

Thoughts? Any significant issues with it?

Due number 3 in January and struggling with girls names. Both my other kids have known but unusual names (think they were both 700 and something in last years stats) but that have a well known shortening/nickname. I don't care about names matching but this would fit nicely.

I lived in Wales for years but we aren't Welsh.

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RuthW · 03/10/2020 14:17

Not to my taste but a perfectly reasonable name. Go for it.

QuimReaper · 03/10/2020 14:16

Oh OP it's awful. It's so stuffy and old fashioned. I agree with PP that the -wen ending is lovely but there are much prettier, more modern sounding names.

MikeUniformMike · 03/10/2020 14:11

@StCharlotte, Marianwen is made up.
The -wen/-wyn names are dated. They tend to be granny names - people older than 70.

@testingtimes123, Arwyn is a boy's name, and Arwen isn't welsh.

StCharlotte · 03/10/2020 13:22

@imnotimportant

I know an Olwen, quietly strong , subtly assertive , very kind , 100% dependable , very likeable Great name Actually thinking about it I know a second Olwen and although I don't know her as well I pretty much could describe her the same as above too
Funny you say this, while it's obviously not up to me to judge whether I'm likable, I am that kind of person and I was thinking it's like a Welsh version of my own name.
devildeepbluesea · 03/10/2020 13:20

I think it's a lovely, classic, unusual-but-not-weird name.

imnotimportant · 03/10/2020 13:19

I know an Olwen, quietly strong , subtly assertive , very kind , 100% dependable , very likeable
Great name
Actually thinking about it I know a second Olwen and although I don't know her as well I pretty much could describe her the same as above too

testingtimes123 · 03/10/2020 13:18

Like it. Also like Elowen and Arwyn

StCharlotte · 03/10/2020 13:12

I love the "wen" names but I think there are much prettier ones. Bronwen, Branwen (BBC education correspondent), Anwen etc.

My personal favourite is Marianwen. But I accept it might be a bit flowery.

HyaluronicHippo · 03/10/2020 13:06

Its pretty simple for non welsh speakers to pronounce too which is always handy. Ol-when.

More of an older woman’s name but then they’re generally coming back into fashion.

Jattjewd · 03/10/2020 13:04

Well I assumed it was a boys name when I read the thread title.

TommyShelby · 03/10/2020 13:01

Olwen is a fantastic name. Feminine but not frilly.

GRW · 03/10/2020 09:40

It was my grandmother's name. I like it.

MikeUniformMike · 03/10/2020 09:04

Alwen might be an alternative - it's a river name and not overused. Alwenna is pretty too.

MikeUniformMike · 03/10/2020 09:03

It's a very old welsh name.

For - easy to say and spell, nice story behind the name and pretty meaning. Shortens easily to Ollie/Oli.

Against - It will get Olwyn (Welsh word for wheel).

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