Save Gender Feminine Usage Anglo-Saxon Pronounced Pron. KUY-neh-WEE-seh(Old English) [key·IPA] Other Forms FormsCunewise, Cynnwise, Cynuis Meaning & History Derived from Old English cyne "royal" and wīs "wise". A notable bearer of this name was the wife of King Penda of Mercia, also referred to as Kyneswitha (see Cyneswið).