Eilonwy
A girl's name of Welsh origin with 27 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
When Eilonwy hit its peak of 7 births in 2021, social media, global pop culture, and a growing appetite for unique names were reshaping how American parents chose names.
Eilonwy has carried that momentum forward and remains a live choice today.
In the most recent SSA release, Eilonwy ranks #15896 among U.S. girl names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Eilonwy is a girl's baby name of Welsh origin, from Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain fantasy series (1964–1968), inspired by Welsh mythology. Eilonwy is the headstrong princess who wields a magical bauble — Alexander drew her name from Welsh phonetic conventions, giving it an authentic Celtic sound.
Eilonwy carries the particular magic of Welsh-flavored high fantasy — a name for a child who will be unimpressed by conventions, who will say exactly what she thinks, who will turn out to be essential to every quest even when no one initially believed she was necessary.
EtymologyShow more
Eilonwy is built from 7 letters and three syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Welsh naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Eilonwy creates its characteristic sharp, distinct quality. Multi-syllable names often carry remnants of compound constructions — two or more meaningful elements fused together — even when the original components are no longer transparent to modern speakers.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Eilonwy has 5+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2012.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 12 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 15 | — |
The Story of Eilonwy
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2021, Eilonwy is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Eilonwy are most likely born between 2012 and 2024.
How rare is Eilonwy?
Only about 1 in every 720,000 babies born in 2024 was named Eilonwy — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2012, peaked in the 2010s with 15 births that decade, and continues to thrive.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(5 years, 2012–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | #15896 |
| 2021 | 7 | #12548 |
| 2015 | 5 | #17199 |
| 2014 | 5 | #17295 |
| 2012 | 5 | #17623 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eilonwy a boy's or girl's name?
When was Eilonwy most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2012–2024