Comments (Usage Only)
The name Bronwyn was given to 43 girls born in the US in 2015.
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Originally from Australia, I was named Bronwyn. I only became aware that Bronwyn was being used as a male name upon traveling after college. I was both amazed and shocked to learn that in North America it was regarded as a male name occasionally given to females.
For anyone considering Bronwyn for their son I would ask that they reconsider due to the origins of the name.
Bronwyn comes from Bronwen, and the Celtic (predominantly Welsh) story of Branwen featured in the Celtic manuscript collection 'Mabinogion' (Section II). In short, the story of Branwen is not pleasant; Branwen is given to an Irish King (Matholwch), suffers at the hands of her master and trains a starling to bring the news to her brothers for rescue.
Brother Bran, with half-brother Efnisien, free Branwen and return her to Wales. It is Bran (or modern equivalent Bron, as in, LeBron) that is the masculine form. Bran is depicted as a strong and handsome man. Bran is often referred to as 'Bendigeifran' in the 'Mabinogion'. Note: Bendigeifran means Bran the Blessed in Welsh, as Branwen is 'Brangwaine'; Bran originally meaning 'Raven'.
Some will argue that Bronwyn is masculine due to the affix -wyn (Welsh m.), however as Bronwyn is a Trans-Celtic name both Bronwyn and Bronwen are feminine as the affixes -wen (Welsh) and -wyn (Irish) are feminine.
The historical figure of Bronwyn is one of beauty, love and inspiration, and can be likened to that of Ishtar, however Branwen's story is of slavery and suffering.
For the record I have changed my name since childhood, as Bronwyn is not an internationally recognized (or pronounceable) name.
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For anyone considering Bronwyn for their son I would ask that they reconsider due to the origins of the name.
Bronwyn comes from Bronwen, and the Celtic (predominantly Welsh) story of Branwen featured in the Celtic manuscript collection 'Mabinogion' (Section II). In short, the story of Branwen is not pleasant; Branwen is given to an Irish King (Matholwch), suffers at the hands of her master and trains a starling to bring the news to her brothers for rescue.
Brother Bran, with half-brother Efnisien, free Branwen and return her to Wales. It is Bran (or modern equivalent Bron, as in, LeBron) that is the masculine form. Bran is depicted as a strong and handsome man. Bran is often referred to as 'Bendigeifran' in the 'Mabinogion'. Note: Bendigeifran means Bran the Blessed in Welsh, as Branwen is 'Brangwaine'; Bran originally meaning 'Raven'.
Some will argue that Bronwyn is masculine due to the affix -wyn (Welsh m.), however as Bronwyn is a Trans-Celtic name both Bronwyn and Bronwen are feminine as the affixes -wen (Welsh) and -wyn (Irish) are feminine.
The historical figure of Bronwyn is one of beauty, love and inspiration, and can be likened to that of Ishtar, however Branwen's story is of slavery and suffering.
For the record I have changed my name since childhood, as Bronwyn is not an internationally recognized (or pronounceable) name.
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This, technically, would be male as the female should end in 'wen', not 'wyn'.
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As has been pointed out, the form 'Bronwyn' (which does not exist in Wales, to the best of my knowledge) is grammatically *masculine*. It seems to be used most commonly in the USA, where probably few people understand Welsh gender forms. The main entry reflects actual usage, even though incorrect, and in any case, traditionally masculine English forenames are frequently bestowed upon females in the USA.
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