This is my girlfriend's name. I think it's a beautiful, sweet name that can suit any female, although it seems a bit better on girls who are Welsh or at least have some Welsh ancestry.
The meaning never bothered me for a second -- like most Celtic names, Bronwen is a raw gem which radiates physical and emotional strength. Bronwen is a free spirit, as clever and majestic as a bird, a passionate spinner of yarns with a tendency to get lost in their own world. None of this is bad -- it's just different from names you usually hear on the street, a good kind of different. I think our desolate planet could do with a few more souls named Bronwen.
I think it’s extremely funny how everyone seems to be gawking at the meaning of this name and everything. It bothered me for a second, but it doesn’t anymore. I think it’s very beautiful.
It's funny to me that so many people find the meaning suggestive. I automatically thought of a bird with white feathers on its chest.I don't think the "breast" part is supposed to mean a woman's bosom but simply "breast" as in "chest". I mean a man's chest can also be referred to as breast (yes, even if his chest is completely flat or muscular, it is just a general term).
― Anonymous User 3/10/2021
9
My name is Bronwen also, and it was sometimes a bit difficult growing up with people not knowing how to pronounce it and family members trying to give me nicknames because they didn't like it, but my mom was stubborn and insisted I be called by my first name. I'm really glad that she did! I've always loved my name. I think it's beautiful and it makes me feel special. To me it's the perfect name for the type of personality I have: quiet, book-loving, and artsy. I have met two other people named Bronwen in my life and they both happened to be singers and musicians just like me. That most likely isn't what every Bronwen does, but quite interesting nonetheless!
― Anonymous User 1/8/2021
5
Hello, my name also is Bronwen. I am a New Zealand Maori yet while at school until college had always spelt it with a YN until seen on my birth certificate. I myself did not take a liking to my name with YN when I saw it spelt with EN I really liked it, there's just a difference in pronunciation with WEN and not WYN. Also the first time I met my partner of 10 years' father about 21 years ago he was WELSH from Breacon surname MORGAN. I loved his accent and he just loved me straight away when I told him my name lol.. I'm proud of my name and definitely fair. Wonderful to meet all Bronwyn's & Bronwen's ♥.
Bronwyn is not the male version, Bronwen is a completely feminine name. Bronwyn is the Irish spelling, where it is opposite of the Welsh rule, en for female and yn for male. As for the name, Bronwen is very pretty.
― Anonymous User 1/24/2018
5
My name is Bronwen.. named after the popular character in How Green was my Valley. I have HATED my name until about 10 years ago.. I am in my early 40's. I have learned to like it more as I have matured. I have 5 children and I named them all very cute Irish names to stay true to my heritage, but to also work in America. I LOVE meeting Bronwen's. I met a group of Welsh woman last weekend in Boston and they said my name as beautifully as I have ever heard it! What it means, who cares. It is how you carry your name :)
I am a Bronwen also. I love it as a woman in my 40s now. Recently I have had people telling me I spell it wrong. I explain to them that no, it is correct! They don't get it. I was never teased at school and most people comment on how beautiful the name is. It's pronounced (Bron-when). The reason people have trouble is because different accents pronounce differently. Apparently Americans don't have the required vowel pronunciation to say it, and have difficulty.
― Anonymous User 8/6/2016
3
Hello, I also bear the name Bronwen (brrr-on-when) as we Americans pronounce it. I'm also of Welsh heritage. The male variation of this name is Bron or fair. The meaning of my name, white breasted, was never an issue. I have found any woman I have encountered with the same name is beautiful inside and out, well rounded, a little eccentric, and well to hold her own. Blessings to all.
I am so blessed that I was named Bronwen. It is pronounced exactly how it is spelled, even though everyone in my entire life during roll call couldn't pronounce it correctly! My name has shaped who I am - I am 34 and have met 2 others in my life. Very unique and I love it. My father got my name from the Welsh mythology series "The Mabigonian" by Evangeline Walton. Within these books are other names like Dylan, Rhiannon, Annwn, and Llyr. Great read, great names, all with great meanings. If you are thinking about naming your baby girl Bronwen - do it.
I was named Bronwen for the character in "How Green Was My Valley." My father was of Cornish descent and my mother of Welsh descent and he gave my mother the book while she was carrying me. It was a challenging name to grow up with as children [and adults] can be dense and sometimes cruel. I always knew when the teacher got to my name on her list as there would be a long pause. Only two syllables but apparently tough to manage and, I was told, "too different." As an adult I am very happy with it. Thanks to my mum I am not called "wennie" or "bronnie". I am glad for that as well.
― Anonymous User 1/25/2015
2
I'm a girl, and have a variant of this name, (actually the male version) Bronwyn. I can tell you already do not worry about getting bullied - it doesn't happen. Once, in fifth grade, we were finding the meanings to our name. My teacher practically shouted out "fair-breasted". The whole class was laughing and I was thoroughly embarrassed. And then it was forgotten within 5 minutes. In respect to the name being "ungirly" because it has the pronunciation of brawn, my nickname for a long time has been "Bronnie", or sometimes even "Brownie", mostly because I have brown hair and brown eyes, so I do kind of look like a brownie I guess? Everybody I've met has loved this name, even if it took them a couple tries to get it. I think it makes me memorable in a world of Sarah's and Taylor's. This is a truly beautiful name.
This meaning is nothing to be embarrassed about. It could be used a great ice-breaker. The interpretation, of course, is "pure hearted".In Old English, "-wyn" means "joy". So, the spelling Bronwyn could mean "joy of the breast"!
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.
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.
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.
I really don't know why I like this name. I just do. And I don't think it sounds masculine at all.
― Anonymous User 11/24/2008
5
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
― Anonymous User 7/3/2006
-4
White breast? Lots of teasing potential there, but otherwise very pretty.
― Anonymous User 5/30/2006
0
Bronwen is a beautiful name! In fact, I read a really good book where one of the characters was named Bronwen.