Name profile

GirlPronounced Welsh /ˈɔl.wɛn/; English /ˈoʊl.wɛn/Welsh language family

Olwen

A name meaning "white footprint".

Quick answer

Olwen is a girl name meaning "white footprint".

Pronunciation: Welsh /ˈɔl.wɛn/; English /ˈoʊl.wɛn/.

GenderGirl
Meaningwhite footprint
PronunciationWelsh /ˈɔl.wɛn/; English /ˈoʊl.wɛn/
Language familyWelsh

Meaning and history

The name means "white footprint" from Welsh ol "footprint, track" and gwen "white, blessed". In the Welsh tale Culhwch and Olwen she was a beautiful maiden, the lover of Culhwch and the daughter of the giant Yspaddaden. Her father insisted that Culhwch complete several seemingly impossible tasks before he would allow them to marry.

Notes and context

Usage: welsh, welsh mythology, arthurian cycle