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Origin: |
Guinevere is the now most standard form of the name of the wife and queen of King Arthur in Arthurian legend. The Old Welsh form of the name was Gwenhwyfar, but its origins are likely far more ancient. The first element is clearly Old Welsh gwen/gwyn meaning "white" and, by extension (poetically), "holy, fair, sacred, blessed" which ultimately derives from the Proto-Celtic *windo- "white." The second element (hwyfar) is much more problematic, especially as it is only recorded in Gwenhwyfar's name.* Some attempt to explain the origin of the name seem to have been made by medieval scribes; in both the tale of Culhwch and Olwen and the Welsh Triads Gwenhwyfar is listed alongside her sister Gwenhwyfach. The formation of these names gives the impression that theys represented Gwenhwy-fawr (Gwenhwy the Greater) and Gwenhwy-fach (Gwenhwy the Lesser) in a very Romanised way (i.e. Antonia Major and Antonia Minor). This, however, smacks of fanciful medieval etymology and several scholars argue that Gwenhwyfach was a character created simply to explain Gwenhwyfar's name.** If nothing else, this indicates that the element hwyfar has ancient roots, and had already fallen out of speech by the 12th century. Two alternate theories arose in the 19th century. One was that the second element of Gwenhwyfar meant 'smooth' from the obsolete Welsh word gwyf meaning "that which yeilds, that which extends, that runs out"* and by (somewhat tentative) extension "smooth."* Another theory was that Gwenhwyfar meant "white wave," with the second element deriving from chwyf (from the Proto-Celtic *kswib– 'move, recede'*) which essentially refers to a great revolving or stirring motion*** and was therefore interpreted as meaning "wave." The English word swim likely comes from this same source.* In A Dictionary of English Surnames (revised in 1997, but first published in 1958) Reaney and Wilson cite "gwen 'fair, white' and (g)wyf 'smooth, yielding', but others were less confident in exploring the troublesome nature of Gwenhwyfar's etymology. C. M. Yonge in The History of Christian Names (1863) only vaguely refers to Gwenhwyfar as the "White Lady" and "the swelling white wave." And even by the third edition of The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names in 1977, E.G.Withycombe didn't even attempt to explore the etymology. The major problem with both theories (that of 'smooth' or 'wave') is that, phonologically, it is incredibly difficult for either gwyf or chwyfu to have mutated into hwyfar. As Peter Schrijver puts it, "there is no noun [*hwyf or similar] on the basis of which -wy- could have been restored in -hwyfar."* Instead, scholars such as Schrijver point to the Proto-Celtic: *sŒbro "spectre, magical being" as the source for hwyfar, which also became síabar "fairy, magic, phantom, supernatural being"** in Old Irish. What strengthens this theory is the fact that there is precedence for the combination of the elements *windo- and *sŒbro in the Irish name Findabair* (modern: Fionnabhair) who features in Irish mythology as the daughter of Queen Medb of Connacht. It may be that the names Findabair and Gwenhwyfar were linked in early Celtic mythology, and K.M. Sheard makes a great case for both representing aspects of an ancient Celtic sovereignty goddess. |
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Usage: |
As the Arthurian legends evolved and developed so too did Guinevere's name. Geoffrey of Monmouth called her Guanhumara in Historia Regum Britaniae (ca. 1138); Caradoc of Llancarfan named her Guennuuar in Vita Gildae (c.1130), and Gerald of Wales used Wenneuereia. In French chivalric romances from the 12th century, the name became Guenièvre, especially popularised by the Arthurian legends by Chrétien de Troyes (ca. 1170-90). In Middle English metrical romances, several forms are used, including Guenore, Gueneuer, Gonnore, Gaynour, Gunnore and Waynour. In Cornwall, the name developed into Jenifer (later Jennifer) and in Scotland, the name became Vanora, Guanora and Wander. Vanora’s Grave in Meigle, Scotland is a grass-covered mound in front of which two carved Pictish stones stand which local legend said was the site of Guinevere's grave. In Mallory’s 15th Century Le Mort d’Arthur she is Gwenyvere and later re-tellings from the 18th century onwards she is generally Guinevere or Guenevere. But to what extent was Guinevere used as a genuine given name outside of Arthurian legend? There are no known examples of the name in use for real women before the 12th century, but there are several from the 14th century which coincides which the popularisation of the Arthurian stories. An early example is a Mabilia Jeneuer in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296 where it occurs as the matronymic byname (mother's name). A Guenhowar is found in Coventry from 1340-1450 and there is a Gwenhevare in Shropshire in 1431 (which was predominantly Welsh-speaking at the time as part of the Marches). Welsh Surnames (1992) by T.J. Morgan and Prys Morgan lists several examples of Guinevere/Gwenhwyfar in use in Wales and the Marches in the 15th century and 16th century including spellings Gwenhoyvar, Guinevere, Gwenhivar, Wenhouer, Gwenhover, Gwenover and Gwenhour and the later colloquial forms of Gaynor(e), Gainer, Gaenor and Gwenna. In the 19th century, the spellings Guinevere and Guenever(e) were the most common but Gwenever(e) and Gwinevere were also used. The name was rare until the end of the century when it was used in small numbers each year. Birth rankings in England and Wales:
Guinevere remained rare in use, but variant forms Gaynor and Jennifer went on to enjoy success from the 1930s (the latter especially). click to enlarge
At the turn of the 21st century Guinevere was still rare, but saw an increase in use from 2005 onwards in England and Wales, though it has never broken the top 1000 during that period. Guinevere peaked at #2313 with 11 births in 2013 and ranked #5785 with 3 births in 2016. |
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Famous Bearers: |
Contemporary: * Guinevere Van Seenus, American model. Literature and Other Media: * Guinevere Pettigrew, character in novel/movie "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day." |
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Variants: |
Guenevere, Gwenyvere, Gainor, Gaynor, Gwennor, Jenevere: Gwenhwyfar, Gaynor (Welsh), Jenifer, Jennifer (Cornish), Vanora (Scottish), Guenièvre (French), Ginevra (Italian) |
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Pronunciation: |
GWIN-ə-veer [key] |
| Possible Diminutives: |
Gwen, Gwin, Gwinny, Gwenna, Gwenno, Ginny, Neve, Nev, Neva, Vere, Vera, Wen, Winny |
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Sibling Names: |
Evangeline Melisande Cressida Persephone Christabel Rosamund |
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Name Lists: |
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Thanks to M for requesting this name.
