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Is Gwendolyn really that unpopular as a baby name?

95 replies

Waheymum · Yesterday 13:33

I'm just about to go overdue with my second baby. DH and I have decided on Gwendolyn Puck as first and middle names. I wanted Puck as a first name but it rhymes with the F word and also sounds like pucker (pucker up? 🤮) so that's why it's been downgraded to a middle name. Loads of people I've mentioned Gwendolyn as a name to have either hated it or just said "oh" or something equally along the lines of 'if you have nothing nice to say don't say anything'. Is Gwendolyn (Gwen) a horrible name?

OP posts:
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Cosleepingadvice · Yesterday 20:04

I know a 5yo Gwen and think its totally fine.

MovedlikeHarlowinMonteCarlo · Yesterday 20:05

2 really ugly names there.

hairstreak · Yesterday 20:09

Puck is the name of a fantastic Dutch cyclist. She's a huge talent and brings the peloton to life. It's a great name as far as I'm concerned, because that's the connection I have with it. (Puck Pieterse, if you want to look her up)

Gwendolyn is a bit grannyish, but Gwen is lovely.

TheeNotoriousPIG · Yesterday 20:20

I haven't met a Gwendolyn in person as it's not a very common name, and like PPs, my first association with the full name is Gwendoline Mary Lacey (the Malory Towers books were very popular).

However, over the last few years, I've met a couple of late teens/early 20's girls called Gwennan, and it's really grown on me since, as they're lovely.

I would associate Puck with Shakespeare and hockey.

NamingNoNames · Yesterday 20:23

Gwen Stefani
Gwenno (the Welsh-Cornish singer)

Whyyes · Yesterday 20:25

I know a Gwendolyn. Although, everyone just calls her Gwen. She's beautiful and funny and really suits the name. Stick with Gwendolyn but please reconsider puck!

SittingNextToIt · Yesterday 20:26

Sometimes people just create threads to wind em up no?

JuliettaCaeser · Yesterday 20:40

Had an awful realisation quote recently that the name Gwendolyn Mary Lacey had lodged deep in my psyche from overdosing on Malory Towers as a child and I have named a child with a 3 syllable first name - Mary - our surname is very similar to Lacey 🙈.

Iatethelastbiscuit · Yesterday 20:45

Shame the OP had already decided on the name when she posted…no wonder she hasn’t come back 😬

Giraffehaver · Yesterday 22:45

I love it. It has all the letters of my dad's name if given a different version and I fought hard for it but dh would not be swayed.
It's beautiful long or short. Gwennie is so adorable

User6761 · Yesterday 23:26

I like the name Gwen and know three young Gwens and a Gwynne. So I don't think it's unusual at the moment. I know one of the Gwens is actually Gwenan, no idea about the others.

Never heard of Puck, i wouldn't want it as my name.

maudelovesharold · Yesterday 23:34

Inspired by a thread yesterday, why not try substituting/adding some random letters? Spell it Guennderleanne. That’s bound to win people round!

crazeekat · Yesterday 23:40

It’s terrible. Really awful.

nocoolnamesleft · Yesterday 23:41

If you must insist on a Shakespearean sprite, Ariel might be slightly more useable for a girl. If it's after the puck in ice hockey, I have no suggestions, other than don't.

JustSawJohnny · Today 00:07

I do think it's a horrible name, sorry,

Not improved by a weird middle name, either.

FloofyKat · Today 00:18

Gwendolyn or whatever fancy spelling you have given it - doesn’t do it me for me. Very old fashioned (think Oscar Wilde / Agatha Christie) and a bit twee in my book. And as for Puck? Really? Really? Poor child!

FunnyOrca · Today 05:00

Plinketyplonks · Yesterday 13:40

The only association I have with Gwendolyn is the rather wimpy character in that Enid Blyton boarding school series. For that reason I don’t think of it as a strong name although I don’t often meet a Gwen. In reality few people will know her middle name, it’s not like you introduce yourself with all three names so whatever you like.

Yea, the name will be forever tied to a homesick, wet, stick in the mud.

Calliopespa · Today 06:49

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · Yesterday 13:34

Puck will definitely take the focus off Gwendolyn, so I don't think you need to worry.

😂

Brutal but nails it.

Calliopespa · Today 06:52

JuliettaCaeser · Yesterday 20:40

Had an awful realisation quote recently that the name Gwendolyn Mary Lacey had lodged deep in my psyche from overdosing on Malory Towers as a child and I have named a child with a 3 syllable first name - Mary - our surname is very similar to Lacey 🙈.

I actually have a soft spot for that character: she wasn't all bad, and her pride in her name was rather sweet.

user1492757084 · Today 09:13

I love Gwen best just as Gwen 10/10.
Gwendolyn is not a fave.

Others I like ..
Gwenith
Gwyneth
Gwenda
Gwenevere
Gwenore

Puck, I could not use.

Gwenith Faerie
Gwenda Pixie
Gwen Titania
Gwyneth Helena

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