
The short answer
Guinevere is a feminine name used in Arthurian Cycle. Behind the Name describes it this way: "From the Norman French form of the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar meaning ‘white phantom’, ultimately from the old Celtic roots *windos meaning ‘white’ (modern Welsh gwen) and *sēbros meaning ‘phantom, magical being’. In Arthurian legend she was the beautiful wife of King Arthur." It ranked #899 for girls in the United States in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
According to Behind the Name, from the Norman French form of the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar meaning ‘white phantom’, ultimately from the old Celtic roots *windos meaning ‘white’ (modern Welsh gwen) and *sēbros meaning ‘phantom, magical being’. In Arthurian legend she was the beautiful wife of King Arthur. The entry lists its usage as Arthurian Cycle.
Editorial confidence: established
Popularity
Guinevere ranked #899 for girls in the United States in 2025. The figure comes from the Social Security Administration's national file for that year.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #899 | ssa-2025 |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Guinevere mean?
Guinevere means "white phantom", according to Behind the Name.
Is Guinevere a popular name?
Guinevere ranked #899 for girls in the United States in 2025. (Social Security Administration data).
Is Guinevere a boy's or a girl's name?
In the 2025 SSA data Guinevere appears in the girls' list; Behind the Name labels it feminine.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Guinevere — supports meaning, usage, pronunciation, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.