Comments for the name Bronwen

Some people find the meaning of this name quite suggestive or strange. I would like to point out that the "bron" of Bronwyn can also be used to mean "skin."

Though the direct translation of this name means "white breasted" it makes more sense if you translate it as "pure hearted".

I could be wrong, but according to Welsh, it should be pronounced more like "BRON-wen" as in "groan".

Pronounced just as it looks. Is the correct version -- Bronwyn would be male as it uses the Y instead of the E in 'wen'.

I concur with the statement that ‘Bron’ should be pronounced just as it is spelt: the problem may be that American English does not use the short, rounded ‘o’ vowel-sound that is so common in both Welsh and British English. To British ears, American pronunciations of ‘dog’ are either ‘dahg’ or ‘dawg’. Though it is not clear why this should lead to the instruction to pronounce ‘Bronwen’ as ‘Brahnwen’ it is a fact that that is how most American speakers will pronounce it, as they do not, or perhaps cannot, pronounce the required vowel.

Bronwen is a beautiful name! In fact, I read a really good book where one of the characters was named Bronwen.

White breast? Lots of teasing potential there, but otherwise very pretty.

This was my name, but it was "Bronwyn" with the Y. It's an awful name. Growing up my mum told me it meant "guardian of God". Then we were doing something to do with our name origins in Social Studies and I found out the real meaning and so did everyone else. I barely survived all the teasing it caused in my last 5years of high school. If you're considering this name for your kid, don't. I'm so glad I got it changed.

Apparently "bronwen" can also mean "weasel"! (Just discovered it in my Welsh dictionary; "wenci" is the far more common word.)

Bronwen is the name of writers Edward and Helen Thomas's second child and elder daughter, Bronwen Thomas.

My name is Bronwyn with a Y and I'm half Welsh and a girl. So let’s fix some mix ups, Welsh was originally a spoken language so any spellings are according to the English and not necessarily applicable. It not only means white breasted but is symbolic for virgin so unless you end up with Mary as a middle name like I did there is no reason to complain. Lastly a neat fact is that Bronwen is the daughter of Dylan the Welsh sea god.

I think this is a very pretty name - despite the relatively suggestive meaning. But I think it would be better translated as "fair/white skin" then "white breast". When I hear the name Bronwen, I picture a brunette girl, with kind blue eyes, with a mature personality, and a loving, gentle heart.

In the book, "Odd Thomas" by Dean Koontz, this is the name of Odd Thomas' girlfriend, though she prefers to go by Stormy.

Having a girl at my school called Bronwen, I know that it is pronounced Bron-Wen (Bron - as it is spelt and like the name Don, not Brahn or Brawn or anything American like that! Wen - exactly the same as how you'd say When, unless you say the "h" in it that's MEANT to be silent!)

A beautiful name that has substance. The sound of it has a bit more to it than a lot of popular names in the Ella/Ellie/Emily/Amy vein. Rich in mythological association, too.

I really don't think the meaning 'white breasted' is so bad. I mean, what is even wrong with having white breasts?! OK, I know having your name mean anything to do with breasts is a bit juicy, but it's not as if the meaning is transparent. I feel sad for anyone who is teased because of their name, but I defy anybody to show me a name that is impossible to make fun of. Mean kids will use any material they can if they decide to tease someone.

I think Bronwen is a very beautiful and elegant name. "White breast" doesn't need to be embarassing, "breast" could mean the upper chest below the neck, that you would see in a regular cut top.

To me, the name sounds masculine. Yes, I know it certainly isn't masculine in the language it comes from, and it's only used for females in the culture it comes from, but the name sounds a bit out of place in the US, and it really does sound masculine. The first syllable ''Bron'' sounds masculine, and the ''wen'' sounds masculine, as it reminds me of masculine names like Darwin and Edwin.

Hey, well my name is actualy Bronwen, but everyone shortens it to Bronnie. Bronwen is pronounced like it's spelt, almost every Welsh word is! So yeah is Bronwen like on and wen like how you say when. I'm Welsh and yeah I know what the name translates into hahah. Bron--breast and funny enough (though my parents didn't know this when they named me) but Bronnie said in an broomy accent is actually like bronnau, and bronnau means breasts.

I really don't know why I like this name. I just do. And I don't think it sounds masculine at all.

Nice for a character. Not so great for a person, because of the meaning. Don't you picture a pretty girl with this name? XD

Regarding the meaning of this name, which translates roughly to "white breast": it is common to read in pre-20th century literature of the "breast" or "bosom" (think "my bosom friend" or "feelings welling up in my breast") as synonymous with the more modern understanding of "heart" (as in "let me speak from my heart"). The breast or chest (both male and female), like the heart, was viewed as the seat of emotions and even character. The too-literal translation of "white breast" really misses the point. "Pure of heart" is probably the best translation. Think the opposite of "black-hearted."

As Bronwen (Branwen) was the daughter of Llyr, the god of the sea, perhaps the "white breast" in the name's meaning is also evocative of the white foam on the "breast" of the waves - that it is in fact a "sea name", like other Welsh names such as Dylan, Morgan and Merlyn.

That seems more likely than the "pure of heart" suggestion which seems a bit far-fetched for ancient pagan Ireland, when being pure was not the highest of priorities!

I have to argue that Bronwen is not equivalent to Branwen as some of you are suggesting. Branwen would be a white raven, which is quite different from a white breast or a pure heart. Heather Rose Jones has apparently researched the origins of these names here http://medievalscotland.org/problem/names/branwen.shtml if anyone wants to read more.

The meaning isn’t at all suggestive. In the context of Bronwen’s meaning, “breast” is equivalent to “chest”. Bronwen means “fair chest”; “white breast” is too literal a translation.

Bronwen is a beautiful, strong name for any female.

A beautiful name! A special character in my most favorite novel, "How Green Was My Valley".

All that I hear and see when "Bronwen" is presented to me is "Brawn"... hardly the most feminine thing out there. "Brawn" is, of course, fine as a word... but it is simply a hideous deed to be entered into the pronunciation of a name!
A little girl's nickname should never be "Brawny," no matter the extent (or lack of) tomboy-attributes she possesses.

Personally, I think that the fact that it is Welsh and ends in "-wen" is the blinding attraction that people hold for it.

Unprofessional and comedic, I find.

For some reason unknown, I'm drawn to and love this name. Heaven knows why, it's simply 'brawn'+'when', but there is something strong and sweet about Bronwen. I imagine a quiet, thoughtful, smart young girl.