Arwen
A girl's name of Welsh origin with 3,138 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
a female given name, masculine equivalent Arwyn; variant form Arwenna
Arwen is a girl's baby name of Welsh origin, from the Welsh words ar (over, upon) and wen (white, fair, blessed), meaning 'noble maiden' or 'blessed and fair' — coined by J.R.R. Tolkien for the Elvish princess in The Lord of the Rings, drawing on authentic Welsh etymology.
Arwen Undómiel — the Half-elven princess who forsakes her immortality for love — is one of fantasy literature's most romantic figures. Tolkien constructed her name with genuine Welsh linguistic care, giving Arwen both literary depth and authentic Celtic roots. For parents who love Tolkien's world, Arwen carries the entire wonder of Middle-earth in two syllables.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Arwen is rooted in the Welsh tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1968 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Arwen’s 3,138 recorded births suggest it has found a niche — possibly within a specific cultural community, region, or naming subculture within the broader American landscape.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Arwen has 53+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1968.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 789 | #1425 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 1,062 | #1955 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 855 | #3471 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 39 | #11799 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 170 | #5696 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 213 | #3465 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 10 | #7315 | — |
The Story of Arwen
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2023, Arwen is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Arwen are most likely born between 2013 and 2024.
How rare is Arwen?
Only about 1 in every 21,302 babies born in 2024 was named Arwen — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1968, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 1,062 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Arwen by the numbers
- Would fill 65 school buses
- Meeting one Arwen per day would take 8.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(53 years, 1968–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 169 | #1344 |
| 2023 | 179 | #1277 |
| 2022 | 177 | #1325 |
| 2021 | 148 | #1451 |
| 2020 | 116 | #1729 |
| 2019 | 144 | #1507 |
| 2018 | 123 | #1685 |
| 2017 | 109 | #1864 |
| 2016 | 129 | #1661 |
| 2015 | 116 | #1797 |
| 2014 | 104 | #1923 |
| 2013 | 105 | #1904 |
| 2012 | 79 | #2358 |
| 2011 | 73 | #2484 |
| 2010 | 80 | #2364 |
| 2009 | 81 | #2377 |
| 2008 | 86 | #2271 |
| 2007 | 98 | #2071 |
| 2006 | 96 | #2050 |
| 2005 | 149 | #1432 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arwen a boy's or girl's name?
When was Arwen most popular?
How popular is the name Arwen?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1968–2024