Bronwen or Bronwyn?

29 replies

panpandemic · 29/12/2020 05:55

Which one is the correct spelling? I have been under the impression that Bronwen is the right one but someone today told me it's not. Bronwyn is.

Apparently Bronwyn is the original spelling and this person mentioned knowing so as they are Welsh themselves. However I have never met any Welsh Bronwyn, all have been -wen and it's the first time I ever hear this.

So which one is correct?

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Orchidflower1 · 29/12/2020 06:35

Either way it’s a lovely sounding name. Hope you pick it @panpandemic

Veterinari · 29/12/2020 06:32

Wen is feminine, wyn is masculine, or in this case, Americanised

SelkieQualia · 29/12/2020 06:25

Bronwyn is the American spelling.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 29/12/2020 06:12

Spell it Bronwen - Wen is definitely the feminine in Welsh. It's possible there are a few Bronwyn's about and that it's the original spelling, but it's certainly uncommon now.

There is the odd exception to the Wen/Gwen thing in feminine names - for instance Gwyneira is usually spelt like this, even though it has the same meaning as Eirwen. And obviously Paltrow has made the Gwyneth spelling famous.

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