Menu

Rhonwen

Heart
Welsh
"slender, fair"

Rhonwen Origin and Meaning

The name Rhonwen is a girl's name of Welsh origin meaning "slender, fair".

The delicate and haunting Welsh Rhonwen is still a rarity in the U.S., where her English version Rowena is better known, but would be a lovely choice for any parent in search of a name that was both unusual and traditional, classically feminine yet strong.

Though Irish names have long been popular in America, Welsh names are just beginning to be noticed and we see them as a wave of the future. In medieval Welsh poetry, Rhonwen is called "the Mother of the English Nation," and Rhonwen Baganes was a heroine of Welsh folklore. A soft and gentle name, Rhonwen's meaning -- slender and fair -- evokes the image of a lovely, light-haired girl. Other appealing 'wen' choices include Aelwen, Arianwen, Branwen, Bronwen. Gwendolen, Olwen and Tanwen. Just don't be tempted to change the 'wen' to 'wyn', which would transform it into a male name.

Rhonwen Popularity

20 Names Similar to Rhonwen

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Rhonwen.

Famous People Named Rhonwen

  • Ronwen Hayden WilliamsSouth African male footballer

Rhonwen in Pop Culture

  • Rhonwen Baganes (Rowena the Pagan) was a symbol of English treachery and aggression in medieval Welsh literature.
  • Vortigern's marriage to Rowena ‘the pagan woman’ (Ronnwenn baganes) is added to the list of his sins and crimes in the Welsh Triads.