I really love the name [name_f]Gwen[/name_f]. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think it’s okay on its own or is it better as a nickname? What full-name would you suggest for [name_f]Gwen[/name_f]? I like [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f]/[name_f]Gwendolen[/name_f], but I’m not sure which spelling I prefer. I think [name_f]Gwendolen[/name_f] is more authentic, right? But [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] is the more common spelling here and now. Plus, I have a superfluous Y in my name too, so it would sort of fit in.
[name_f]My[/name_f] full name is [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] & I hate it! I’ve always thought it is way to formal/length - but I get a lot of compliments. I go by [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] which I do really like. Short, uncommon - but not too out there.
Haha, a ‘superfluous y’. I like that! [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f] is another fantastic option for [name_f]Gwen[/name_f], as is [name_f]Gwyneth[/name_f]. ([name_u]Gwyn[/name_u], [name_f]Gwen[/name_f]…whatever) I do like [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f], too, though.
I think [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] works best as a nickname, but I also don’t mind it as a standalone.
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I love [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f]. I like [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] on its own, but I prefer it as a nn for [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f].
I second [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f]!
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I’m on a real Spider-[name_m]Man[/name_m] kick from yesterday - and [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] is a main character in the newer movies, played by [name_f]Emma[/name_f] [name_m]Stone[/name_m]. [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] [name_u]Stacey[/name_u]'s such a bad-ass character in the movie, (well, in the 2nd she is), and that’s what I primarily link the name to. [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] is perfectly fine on it’s own, and honestly, I dislike it’s long forms, except maybe [name_f]Gwyneira[/name_f] (‘white snow’).
[name_f]Maura[/name_f] and [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] would be gorgeous as sisters!
I also love the name [name_f]Gwen[/name_f]. I would say go with the full name [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f], that way she could go either way. I would spell it the more common way, I have two, as you say “superfluous y” and have always had to correct people, it can get really annoying. Plus, it is always cool to have a common theme within names, but think if you were to have any other kids, if you would be able to continue the theme. Best of luck!
[name_f]Guinevere[/name_f] is pretty, but every time I hear it I sing the theme song to “[name_f]Princess[/name_f] [name_f]Gwenevere[/name_f] and the [name_f]Jewel[/name_f] Riders” in my head. Okay, honestly, I’m a nerd and I’d probably sing it at my kid if I had a kid named [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] regardless of what it was short for, but still. I think it’s too princess-sounding for me. LOL!
I like [name_f]Gwyneth[/name_f], but I worry that it’s too associated with [name_f]Gwyneth[/name_f] Paltrow. I mean, I’m barely aware of her, but the Nameberry entry for [name_f]Gwyneth[/name_f] talks about her like she’s all people will think about when they hear the name. I’m not a fan of her, so I wouldn’t really want that.
I like [name_f]Gwen[/name_f], just [name_f]Gwen[/name_f], better than any of the full-names. At the same time, I think it sounds kind of incomplete. I think [name_f]Gwendolen[/name_f]/[name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] still seems like my best bet. Plus, [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] can be [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] or [name_f]Winnie[/name_f], like the girl on “the Wonder Years”, which is quite cutesy but suitable for a baby. [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] is pretty formal, but at least it has options and the girl could grow into it, right?
I prefer [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] as a full name.
[name_f]Gwendolen[/name_f] is beautiful! And I love [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] as a nickname 
[name_f]Gwen[/name_f] is a ravishing name, it makes me think of powerful [name_f]Queen[/name_f] [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f] and rock girl [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] [name_f]Stefani[/name_f]. [name_f]Gwendolen[/name_f] is my favorite full form but there also are Gwenllian, Gwenfair, Gweneira/[name_f]Gwyneira[/name_f] ,Gwenffrewi, Gwennan, Gwenaelle and [name_f]Gwenda[/name_f].
One more thing: [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] was used by [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] Wilde, [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] [name_f]Hailey[/name_f] and [name_f]Agatha[/name_f] [name_u]Christie[/name_u] in their works and this fact makes me love [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] even more!
For some reason, even though I love all the long versions of [name_f]Gwen[/name_f], I just don’t like it alone, even as a nn. [name_f]My[/name_f] favourite [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] name is Gwenllian but I wouldn’t recommend that since no one could pronounce the Welsh ll. [name_f]My[/name_f] second favourite [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] name is Gwenno. I just love it. It an old Welsh name for the planet [name_f]Venus[/name_f]. I also like [name_u]Gwynedd[/name_u] a lot, great alternative for [name_f]Gwyneth[/name_f], the pronounciation is the same but no actress connection. Other names I like [name_f]Gwenda[/name_f], [name_f]Gwendolen[/name_f], Gwennan, Gwenlyn.
I like it by itself and as a longer version. [name_f]My[/name_f] favourite is definitely [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] which I think is a stunning name.
However, that being said I think [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] has enough substance to stand on it’s own. It’s short, spunky and suits all ages!
I’m a [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] nn [name_f]Gwen[/name_f]. I don’t know that I’ll ever grow into [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f]. I used to utterly loathe it, now I’m like “eh, at least it’s unusual.” And it’s kind of nice to have the option of a full name, as well as the literary connections. Still, I much much much prefer [name_f]Gwen[/name_f]. It is absolutely me, and feels perfectly balanced. I wouldn’t mind being named [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] by itself.
That said, my favorite long forms are [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f] (I used to desperately wish my name was [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f]) and Gwenllian. The only one I really dislike is [name_f]Gwyneth[/name_f].
[name_m]Hi[/name_m]!
[name_f]My[/name_f] grandmother’s name was [name_f]Gwenda[/name_f] (her mother was Welsh) and I always liked the name [name_f]Gwen[/name_f]. We chose [name_f]Gwyneth[/name_f] for our daughter (even though she is almost exclusively [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] at home) and no one has ever asked me if I named her after the actress. I think [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] can easily stand on its own (like [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] [name_f]Stefani[/name_f]) especially if none of the longer versions of the name grab you. I would say the names out loud and write them down over and over again with your last name and see which was sounds better to you. Good luck!
Personally I like simply [name_f]Gwen[/name_f]. Such a gorgeous name. I see it like the boys name [name_m]Leo[/name_m]. It stands so well on its own. Honestly can be a disappointment when I find out they aren’t just [name_f]Gwen[/name_f]. If using [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] on its own I would spell it [name_f]Gwenn[/name_f] and pair it with a longer middle name.
All the long versions are also gorgeous, but not entirely necessary unless you prefer longer names…
[name_f]Guinevere[/name_f]- I like this option because if she dislikes [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] later on she could go by [name_f]Vera[/name_f].
[name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f]
[name_f]Gwendoline[/name_f]- I prefer this spelling
[name_f]Gwendolen[/name_f]
[name_f]Gwenda[/name_f]- reminds me of [name_f]Glenda[/name_f] the good witch.
[name_f]Gwyneth[/name_f]- pretty, but reminds me too much of [name_f]Gwyneth[/name_f] Paltrow
[name_u]Gwynn[/name_u]/[name_f]Gwynna[/name_f]- ^^ditto
[name_f]Gwennora[/name_f]- I like this one for the same reason I like [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f]. [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] or [name_f]Nora[/name_f]
I think [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] is great by itself, I want to name my first daughter either just [name_u]Gwyn[/name_u] or [name_f]Gwyneth[/name_f] and call her [name_u]Gwyn[/name_u]! I also like [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f]
[name_f]Gwen[/name_f] has enough power and spunk to stand alone, for sure. But it is also a fiery nickname option for the more docile [name_f]Gwendolen[/name_f]/[name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f], so if you went that route she would have a softer full name to fall back on if she preferred. She would also have at least a couple other nicknames to choose from if she wanted, like [name_f]Dolly[/name_f], [name_f]Winnie[/name_f], [name_f]Wendy[/name_f] and [name_u]Lynn[/name_u].
Personally, I think one of the bigger things to consider, after options and sheer likability, is how each option withh blend with existing/potential siblings. [name_m]Will[/name_m] the other kiddos have longer names with nickname options or shorter “nick-proof” names? This would be my personal tie-breaker.
[name_m]Say[/name_m] you had a [name_m]Patrick[/name_m] and a [name_f]Brigid[/name_f] along with [name_f]Maura[/name_f]. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you prefer to hear [name_f]Maura[/name_f], [name_m]Patrick[/name_m], [name_f]Brigid[/name_f] and [name_f]Gwen[/name_f] OR [name_f]Maura[/name_f], [name_m]Patrick[/name_m], [name_f]Brigid[/name_f] and [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f]?
Personally, with just [name_f]Maura[/name_f], I prefer simply [name_f]Gwen[/name_f].
[name_f]Gwen[/name_f] is a stunning name. I think it can absolutely be a full name, especially because I dislike all of the longer versions of [name_f]Gwen[/name_f].
I love [name_f]Gwen[/name_f]! I prefer it on its own to [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f]/[name_f]Gwendolen[/name_f] or [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f]. I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_f]Gwyneth[/name_f]–it bothers me that they are not spelled the same, but I just don’t love the look of [name_f]Gwenyth[/name_f] as much. Though I do love the sound of gwen-ith as much or more than gwin-eth. hmm… it would be a long internal debate for me between:
[name_f]Gwen[/name_f]
[name_f]Gwyneth[/name_f] nn [name_f]Gwen[/name_f]
and
[name_f]Gwenyth[/name_f] nn [name_f]Gwen[/name_f]