The name Gwendolyn, chosen for one of the coming year's storms, has deep roots in Celtic mythology and a history of varied spellings. The legendary Queen Gwendolen, a figure from early medieval British myths, is the inspiration behind the name.
A Legendary Queen from Celtic Mythology
The stories of Queen Gwendolen come from the writings of Geoffrey of Monmouth, a 12th-century Welsh chronicler. While his tales are not considered historically accurate, they may reflect older myths and legends. According to his account, Gwendolen was the daughter of the Cornish warrior Corineus. After her husband, King Locrinus, betrayed her, she raised an army, drowned his lover and their daughter Habren in the River Severn, and ordered the river to be named after the child.
The name Gwendolen, or its more recent variant Gwendolyn, is included in the Met Office's list of storm names for the coming year. The name has a long history, though evidence of its early use is scarce. A Welsh St Gwendolen appears on a 6th-century list of saints, and researcher Jodi McMaster notes a feast day for an abbess Gwendolen.
Spelling Variations and Famous Namesakes
Ms McMaster says there is little evidence of the name being widely used until the 19th century, when characters named Gwendolen appeared in works by authors such as George Eliot, Oscar Wilde, and Jean Anouilh. Famous real-life Welsh Gwendolens include the painter Gwendolen Mary John, also known as Gwen John.
Over time, the traditional spelling has been overtaken by the American variation Gwendolyn and the English Gwendoline. Notable bearers include Game of Thrones actress Gwendoline Christie and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks.
Modern Usage and the Upcoming Storm
UK baby names data from 2025 shows the traditional spelling is now in the minority. In England and Wales that year, there were 23 Gwendolyns, nine Gwendolines, nine Gwennos, four Gwendolens, and three Gwenis born.
The name was put forward by the Dutch equivalent of the Met Office for the storm list. A weather event called Storm Gwendolyn is likely to occur next spring, and if it lives up to its mythological namesake, it will be fierce.
