Origin, Meaning, And History Of Branwen
Branwen is a Welsh feminine given name derived from the Old Welsh words bran, meaning ‘raven’ and gwen, meaning ‘fair,’ ‘white,’ or ‘blessed’. Therefore, the name means ‘beautiful raven.’ Throughout history, ravens have frequently been associated with wisdom and divination, bridging the gap between the physical and spiritual realms.
Welsh mythology mentions Branwen as a princess and daughter of Llyr, the god of the sea and the sister of Britain’s king Bran. She was known for her beauty and wisdom and was married off to Matholwch, the king of Ireland, in an attempt to ally with the two kingdoms. However, the marriage led to a great conflict between the Welsh and Irish, culminating in a brutal war in which Branwen’s brothers were killed. Devastated by the loss of her family, Branwen died of a broken heart. Her tragic story has been retold in various works of literature, including the medieval Welsh epic ‘The Mabinogion.’
There is a debate over whether the literary character’s name should be Branwen or Bronwen, as both names have been used in different instances. It is possible that Bronwen was the original name, but it was changed to Branwen in some sources to match the name of the character’s brother, Bran. On the other hand, it is also plausible that both names, Branwen and Bran, were originally intended to be used together as a matching pair.
This Welsh name is pronounced ‘BRAN-wehn’ and has several variants, including Brangwen. Bee, Bran, Wen, Annie, and Wendie are some fun nicknames that have flown under the radar.
Apart from the name’s appearance as the daughter of Lyr in the medieval WelshMabinogi, the name has made notable appearances in several other mediums. For example, Branwen Maddox O’Keefe is the mother of the protagonist in Madeleine L’Engle’s science fiction novelA Swiftly Tilting Planet.It is also the name of the titular character, Branwen Roberts, in the 1995 Welsh movieBranwen.And finally, Raven Branwen is an anti-hero in the American animated seriesRWBY.
How To Pronounce Branwen?
Branwen On The Popularity Chart
The name, although unique and gentle, has not been consistent with popularity and rankings. Let’s see the graphical representation of the fluctuations it has gone through.
Popularity Over Time
从一开始Branwen几乎是不存在的till 2011, after which there was a momentary rise in its popularity. Here is a graph that shows how the name has performed over time.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The name Branwen witnessed a poor performance on the ranking chart achieving a lifetime best rank of 14795 in 2015. See the graph below to learn more.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sounds To Branwen
If you like the ring of Branwen but want to use other variations, here are a few options.
Popular Sibling Names For Branwen
Other Popular Names Beginning With B
名字像Branwen具有相似的含义
Are you enamored by Branwen’s significance but curious about alternative options? Check out the names listed here.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
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In Sign Language
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In Braille Alphabet
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In Morse Code
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Name Numerology For Branwen
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Branwen?
The name Branwen means a raven bird that is beautiful.
2. What is the origin of the name Branwen?
Branwen has a Welsh origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Branwen?
Branwen是pronounced as bran-win.
