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Original poster

Thoughts on Arwen vs Eden

83 replies

HRF2022 · 27/05/2025 12:11

Hello! Just wanting to get people's thoughts...sister for Willow - stuck between these two names!

I absolutely love the name Arwen, but my concern is that it is too linked to Lord of the Rings. I'm not a particular fan of the books/ films but I don't dislike them, my husband likes them. I didn't actually realise Arwen was from LOTR and fell in love with it when my husband suggested it so it was only after I found out the link.

Would people automatically assume we were super fans if they heard this name, or do you think it could be a standalone name in it's own right?

Our other choice is Eden, which we both like, but I can't help but feel Arwen is a bit prettier and unusual.

Would love to know your thoughts!

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NefiBlw · 27/05/2025 20:11

Another option would be Olwyn. I think it would go neatly with Willow. They're both nouns.
Not sure why you think 'wheel' is a suitable name though. The spelling is Olwen, which doesn't mean wheel.

Gloschick · 27/05/2025 19:52

I prefer Anwen over Eden. I wouldn't worry about lotr.

Another option would be Olwyn. I think it would go neatly with Willow.

TheyFuckYouUpYourMamAndDad · 27/05/2025 19:49

NefiBlw · 27/05/2025 19:05

I also love Anwen (which IS Welsh) and means very fair or very beautiful.
It's Ann+wen, so means grace+blessed.
It is Welsh, and seems to be a 1940s name.

This is my sister’s name…and we are Welsh. In all searches we’ve ever done (and according to my granny who was as Welsh as they come 🤣🤣) it means very fair or very beautiful. But your meaning is also lovely…and whatever the meaning, it’s a gorgeous name 💖

828Pax · 27/05/2025 19:49

There's a little Arwyn in my dc's class and I absolutely love it. LOTR never entered my head!

Purplecatshopaholic · 27/05/2025 19:47

I like both. I know a couple of Edens. I know nothing about LOTR though as I don’t like the books, lol

Koazy · 27/05/2025 19:45

I really don’t like Eden so anything is better than that

SchnizelVonKrumm · 27/05/2025 19:44

I agree with PP that Anwen could be a good choice if you like Arwen but are put off by the LOTR association. Much nicer than Eden imo.

BeMintViper · 27/05/2025 19:41

Isn't Eden traditionally a (hebrew) boys name?
On that basis I'd go with Arwen

Hermiaxx · 27/05/2025 19:39

@TheyFuckYouUpYourMamAndDad agree - much prefer Anwen (and a proper Welsh name!)

Bobbybobbins · 27/05/2025 19:31

How about Astrid instead of Arwen?

SoManyDandelions · 27/05/2025 19:26

Arwen is a beautiful name. I wouldn't assume you were LOTR fans, although I do assume all the baby Aryas have GOT fans for parents!

Eden is fine.

I don't know any male Arwens or Edens- they are female names to me.

NefiBlw · 27/05/2025 19:05

I also love Anwen (which IS Welsh) and means very fair or very beautiful.
It's Ann+wen, so means grace+blessed.
It is Welsh, and seems to be a 1940s name.

TheyFuckYouUpYourMamAndDad · 27/05/2025 18:35

Dislike Eden.

Arwen is lovely and yes, has LOTR vibes but so what?

I also love Anwen (which IS Welsh) and means very fair or very beautiful.

WhateverWheneverWherever · 27/05/2025 17:24

Arwen is a lovely name, very much a similar vibe to Willow and despite being a LOTR fan, I hadn't realised it didn't exist outside of it. I confess I had thought it was Welsh.
I'm not a fan of Eden, partly because I know one and she's an utter horror.

AnOldCynic · 27/05/2025 17:21

Arwen is lovely.

Moreteaandchocolate · 27/05/2025 17:19

I know a child called Arwen and never thought of Lotr’s. It’s a lovely name and I much prefer it to Eden.

KayEmAy · 27/05/2025 16:56

Oooh I really like them both!

NefiBlw · 27/05/2025 16:56

@Vroooooom , where did you get that meaning? It looks completely wrong.

If it was a Welsh name, it would probably mean 'near+white/blessed'.
The Welsh name that means berry is Aeron.

Vroooooom · 27/05/2025 16:49

I would assume you were Welsh.( ‘Celtic origin meaning ‘berry, fruit’.) There were a couple in my little Welsh village school in the late 70’s.
I’ve never seen LOTR though.

NefiBlw · 27/05/2025 16:41

Jasmin71 · 27/05/2025 16:27

Change it to Awen. Pronunciation is the same and it can't be confused then.

Awen and Arwen aren't pronounced the same.

RuthW · 27/05/2025 16:32

Eden is far nicer.

BoleynMemories13 · 27/05/2025 16:27

I like Eden. It goes well with Willow. Willow and Arwen is a bit w heavy to say together.

Jasmin71 · 27/05/2025 16:27

Change it to Awen. Pronunciation is the same and it can't be confused then.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 27/05/2025 16:25

I like Arwen (but I'm a LotR fan) and I teach a lovely girl with that name. I'm not so keen on Eden tbh.

NefiBlw · 27/05/2025 16:21

@timoteigirl , Arwen is from LOTR, not Welsh. Eirwen is very old fashioned - a 90yr old's name - and I dread to imagine how someone who doesn't speak Welsh would say it.

Eden seems a bit downmarket but is OK.