Tanwen

• Origin: Welsh
• Meaning: “holy fire; white fire”
• Gender: Female

A modern Welsh girls’ name formed from tan (“fire”) + gwen (“white, fair, blessed”), often interpreted poetically as “white fire” or “holy fire.”

It is not known in medieval Welsh name lists; several modern sources suggest it was first coined or adopted around the 1960s in Wales. Its usage appears to be modest and not widespread historically. However, since it has cultural significance and is used, I consider it legitimate.

At least 5 girls were given this name in the U.K. in 2024

Sources

• https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/livebirths/bulletins/babynamesenglandandwales/2023
• https://geiriadur.uwtsd.ac.uk/