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Baby names

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

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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BeMintViper · 27/05/2025 19:41

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

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.

Koazy · 27/05/2025 19:45

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

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

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!

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 💖

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.

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.

Sherararara · 27/05/2025 20:13

Bobbybobbins · 27/05/2025 19:31

How about Astrid instead of Arwen?

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comoatoupeira · 27/05/2025 20:14

I like Arwen, Anwen and Astrid.
Don't like Eden.

Sherararara · 27/05/2025 20:15

Sorry but with Arwen she will definitely get LOTR comments the rest of her life.
If she’s sister to Willow call her Holly or Rose or similar.

WaterfallSeeker · 27/05/2025 20:19

I have an Arwen. Everyone has assumed it’s Welsh and asked if we’re Welsh. No one has mentioned LOTR.

Gloschick · 27/05/2025 20:25

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.

Not sure why you feel the need to be so mean! I know a lovely Welsh lady with this name, and thought I would suggest it to the OP. To be fair, I think she may spell it as Olwen (I think my brain had been influenced by the Arwyn in a prev post) but Google seems to say that you can use both. My own name meaning is much worse than wheel!

BeastAngelMadwoman · 27/05/2025 20:28

I'm Welsh first language and have taught a few Arwens. I don't know whether some Welsh people have sort of adopted it as a name as it's so Welsh sounding? Anwen is an option and is actually a Welsh name but it is a bit old fashioned in Wales itself, though again I've taught a couple.

People suggesting Arwyn/Olwyn etc, -wyn is a male ending (plus Olwyn is literally the everyday word for wheel) so for a female name, it has to be -wen.

bruffin · 27/05/2025 20:31

Eden is awful, spoilt pageant child vibes

Ihmppmmwtbwote · 27/05/2025 20:34

BeastAngelMadwoman · 27/05/2025 20:28

I'm Welsh first language and have taught a few Arwens. I don't know whether some Welsh people have sort of adopted it as a name as it's so Welsh sounding? Anwen is an option and is actually a Welsh name but it is a bit old fashioned in Wales itself, though again I've taught a couple.

People suggesting Arwyn/Olwyn etc, -wyn is a male ending (plus Olwyn is literally the everyday word for wheel) so for a female name, it has to be -wen.

I'm not Welsh so have no idea, but I used to work with a woman called Olwyn (with a y) and she was Welsh, so some obviously use it that way.

MidLifeWoman · 27/05/2025 20:35

Another Arwen fan here, I think it goes really well with Willow.
Eden is just ok.

NefiBlw · 27/05/2025 20:43

@Ihmppmmwtbwote , not if they speak Welsh. What @BeastAngelMadwoman is correct. The -wyn is masculine, and 'olwyn' is the Welsh word for wheel.
Arwyn is a man's name - I know several.

peanutbuttertoasty · 27/05/2025 20:59

Is Arwen actually a Welsh name or just made up by Tolkien for LOTR? I know one and they insist on making everybody roll the bloody R even though it’s England! Which strikes me as a little demanding, especially if not actually a real name. Hardly easy to say! I just avoid using her name TBH. Would advise against unless you’re laid back about how it’s pronounced (or you live in Wales or Spain/italy!)

Lavendersquare · 27/05/2025 21:14

@HRF2022just a thought, I know an Arwenna and think it’s a gorgeous name. No problem pronouncing it or realising she’s a woman, also sounds cute shortened to Arwen or Wenna.

SwirlingAroundSleep · 27/05/2025 21:46

I teach an Arwen who is one of the brightest kids I have ever taught and one of the kindest too. Much prefer it to Eden and now have the added association of it being the name of a wonderful young woman. So I’d go with Arwen.

FebruaryUsername · 27/05/2025 22:25

Arwen is lovely and I wouldn't worry about the LotR reference.
Also just for the record.. Arwen is a historical Welsh name, the female version of Arwyn. Arwen as a name died out and then became used again after LotR.
There was a child in my Welsh school with the name Arwen some 25 years ago, and in a discussion about name origins our teacher explained that they had a grandmother (or grandmother in law, I can't recall) who was called Arwen long before LotR was written.

mambojambodothetango · 27/05/2025 22:30

I know two Arwens. It's a lovely name.

user1492757084 · 28/05/2025 07:00

Willow and Arwen

Willow and Alanna

CurlewKate · 28/05/2025 07:08

Arwen and Willow both have a very fantasy/LOTR type vibe, I’m afraid. And Arwen was male. How about Anwen? My nephew’s girlfriend in Anwen. She’s Welsh living in England and never has any trouble with spelling or pronunciation.