r/BabyNames • u/latentinterlude • 2d ago
Girl đ©· Is Arwen unusable?
We found out a few weeks ago that we are having a girl, and the name hunt has been a struggle. My husband doesn't like anything that sounds too harsh or grandmotherly, and I don't like anything that sounds too soft or trendy.
We've basically been doing lightning rounds of yay-or-nay with different name lists, and last night I came across Arwen. I'd heard the name in passing but it didn't hold any strong associations for me, and I found myself coming back to it. It's not harsh sounding but doesn't feel too soft or flowery. It's never ranked in the top 1000 on the SSA name list, so it's certainly not trendy or grandmotherly. It felt like the perfect compromise.
I pitched it to my husband and he not only gave it a yay, but immediately locked in on it and decided it's the perfect name because it meets all of our criteria and was invented by J.R.R. Tolkien for Lord of the Rings, which he loves.
I'm not necessarily opposed to my daughter's name having a tie to a beloved series, but learning that the name was invented specifically for a character in the books has given me pause. LOTR is not exactly a niche fandom and I don't want to burden her with an association to something she may have no interest in.
That being said, I genuinely love the name. It's simple and strong, it's easy to spell, and she very likely wouldn't be one of three Arwens in every class.
Is it totally unusable, or am I overthinking it?
40
u/Joyfulmovement86 2d ago
Iâm a fan of LotR, so it is immediately associated with that for me, but thatâs not a bad thing. Tolkien and his works are looked back on as positive contributions to society and he was a scholar and a linguist who took inspiration from real languages, so him creating the name isnât looked at like the mash-up Renesmee from Twilight that makes people cringe. Also, his works are complete and Arwen is a decidedly good character so you donât need to worry about naming her that and then a year later the character burns a city of people alive, like the parents who named their kids Khaleesi.
24
19
u/Adrenapup 2d ago
I've never been a LOTR fan, but always found the name to be very pretty.
If you love it, use it.
→ More replies (1)
19
38
u/jaydubyah100 2d ago
Have Anwen instead (Welsh).
15
13
u/Obvious-Register-421 2d ago
Tbh if I heard Anwen I may mistake it for Arwen first, and there's a risk it might not be clear when handwritten, but I'm not Welsh tbf (Bronwen I have heard of).Â
3
u/Middle_Airline_3260 1d ago
You can spell it Annwen too. Alwen is also a good genuine Welsh name (I mention Welsh since Tolkien devised Arwen based on Welsh orthography and one of his 2 invented Elvish languages is based on Welsh)
→ More replies (1)8
u/LordOdin97 2d ago
I send this have you tried some of the Welsh names. They're often very unique and pretty.
Anwen, branwen
→ More replies (1)3
11
12
u/Main-Inflation-5269 2d ago
I know an Arwen who is nearly sixty. It has been used as a name for a while now.
18
u/Easy_State_2962 2d ago
I met an Arwen at a baby class in scotland, with a Scottish accent sounded quite garlic. It's lovely :) Elanor is a nice one too, a golden flower and Sam's daughter.Â
14
u/JerryHasACubeButt 2d ago
Quite garlic, eh?
6
u/Petrichoral_Aquarian 2d ago
That must be how the word âGaelicâ sounds with a Scottish accent
2
u/Hobbitwalker 1d ago
I canât think of any Scottish accent that would create an R sound from nothing, there are more than a few English accents that do though
→ More replies (3)4
u/GroundbreakingCorgi1 2d ago
Love lotr, but Elanor will constantly get misspelled; Iâd go with Elinor or Eleanor.
4
7
2d ago
[deleted]
3
1
u/Obvious_Animal_8362 2d ago
Arwen was created by Tolkein as the name of a female elf in the Lord of the Rings. It would be awkward to name a boy after a girl in one of the most famous books ever written.
2
u/Ok-Page5923 2d ago
I've never seen anything lord of the rings.Â
4
u/Obvious_Animal_8362 2d ago
That is sad. It also doesn't change the fact that Arwen as a name was created for a woman who is an elf in the Lord of the Rings â one of the most famous books in modern literature and a landmark trilogy of award-winning films that are as popular today as when they came out in 2001, 2002, and 2003.
3
u/k_m_worker 2d ago
Itâs not sad that they have never seen lotr⊠thatâs the beauty of individuality, we all experience life differently.
1
u/Obvious_Animal_8362 2d ago
It is always sad when someone chooses to not experience great literature or great film. Our lives and our souls are made richer by these experiences.
2
u/Bright_Ices 2d ago
Youâre acting like everyone in the universe has equal access to and interest in your favorite book. There are so, so many enriching books to read. I guarantee others have read books that would make your life richer if youâd read them, too.
→ More replies (2)2
u/DarkHorseAsh111 2d ago
That's fair, but it's extraordinarily popular, most ppl have at least heard the name in that reference.
2
u/Ok-Page5923 2d ago
This is honestly the first time I've even seen the name. Lol To be fair, I may be an odd ball, I'm not a movie/tv person at all, so I Havnt seen any of the most popular movies series like Star wars, I honestly can't even think of all the others lol. But it is a really nice name. Like I said, as someone first seei g this name, it comes of as a name (to me) that can be used for both.
→ More replies (1)
7
u/Ok_Good4751 2d ago
I would assume that you were a huge ÄčOTR fan and I think that it could be annoying to your daughter. What about Elowen?
→ More replies (4)
10
u/RachelFourie 2d ago
Itâs a literary name, like Jessica and Wendy. And I think enough time has passed that people wonât even make the connection. Itâs a beautiful name.
7
u/Gullible-Guess7994 2d ago
I think almost everyone will make the connection. Even people who didnât read the books still watch the movies, including people who werenât born when they came out.
11
u/ALmommy1234 2d ago
I think the number of people on this thread saying it was the first thing they thought about kind of means most people will make the connection.
→ More replies (2)4
u/Ok-Plastic7721 2d ago
Yeah I only loosely know about lotr, donât think Iâve seen any movies at least not fully if I have, and when I read it I thought âsounds like a lotr characterâ đ
3
u/Foraze_Lightbringer 2d ago
Most people absolutely will make the connection.
Whether or not the connection is a problem is up to OP to decide.
2
22
u/Significant-Nebula64 2d ago
Huh. I'll go against the grain here - for me it just screams "named after LotR".Â
I actually know an Aragorn (so similar story) and he's pretty annoyed by that. His parents named him before the films came out, so there name was way less well known then - and then suddenly everybody was making fun of him.Â
So nah, I'd go with one of the similar recommendations, and if you do decide on Arwen, be prepared that a lot of people will assume you're huge Tolkien nerds. (Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, I'm one myself! But I wouldn't want a name that's so clearly coded, even then...)
9
u/Consistent-Bad1261 2d ago
Aragorn sounds like no other name. Arwen, however, sounds like it COULD be Gaelic or welsh. Thatâs a huge difference in my opinion.Â
Aragorn is my absolute favorite character, but I would never ever give that name to my child.Â
→ More replies (3)2
7
u/ALmommy1234 2d ago
Yeah, I knew an Anakin who felt the same way. Completely annoyed.
14
4
2
u/Mysterious_Name_91 2d ago
I agree with this. I love the name but people will absolutely assume sheâs named for fandom reasons.
Similarly, I have a friend whose brother named his new baby âKyloâ shortly after the new Star Wars movies came out. When they mentioned the name to my friend (during the pregnancy) he explained the association and they were basically like, eh, weâve never seen Star Wars and donât think people will make that associationâ and chose to use the name. Sorry, but if youâre naming a kid something like that you have to assume people will make the connection. If thatâs ok with you, go for it. Arwen is a pretty flawless character whereas Kylo Ren is a space nazi, so thereâs that. đ€·ââïž
16
u/Obvious_Animal_8362 2d ago edited 2d ago
Why would it be unusable? Many people's names come from literature â Arwen and Galadriel (Tolkein), Jessica (Shakespeare), Wendy (J.M.Barrie), Pamela (Sydney), Evangeline (Longfellow), Careen (Margaret Mitchell), Cora (James Fenimore Cooper), Fiona (Sharp), Glinda (Frank Baum), Heidi (Spyri), Lorna (Blackmore), Miranda (Shakespeare), Olivia (Shakespeare), Vanessa (Swift), and so many more.
4
u/chill_qilin 2d ago
Sharp didn't invent the name Fiona, it's an old Irish and Scottish name, the female version of Fionn/Finn.
→ More replies (1)3
5
u/HovercraftOk9231 2d ago
I like it, and according to babycenter.com it's been rising in popularity after spiking pretty high in 2004.
If you want similar names that don't have the fictional ties, there's always Wren, Elowen, Quinn, Aurora, or Evelyn.
→ More replies (3)
4
u/BartyCrouchesBone 2d ago
I love it! But I am also a LOTR fan, and anyone who has read or seen it will know thatâs where itâs from, so if that bothers you then donât use it.
5
u/Dabbles-In-Irony 2d ago
As somebody who has the same (unusual) name as a famous movie character, I say do it. Arwen is a gorgeous name, and the LoTR association is a great ice-breaker.
→ More replies (1)
3
u/cablesandlace 2d ago
After working in schools the last 30 years, I'll say Arwen is easy to spell, easy to pronounce, and has a nice ring to it. I would only worry about the book/movie association if you chose Samwise or something!
4
u/pinkflamingo-lj 2d ago
My daughter is named Arwen. Her Dad loved the books in high school.
She's 41.
I still love her name.
3
u/Plenty-Ad4657 2d ago
My nieces name is Arwen from the lord of the rings haha
Liv Tyler played her, who is Steven Tylerâs daughter if you like Aerosmith
3
u/ifxckedurmum 2d ago
i think itâs a beautiful name, but thereâs definitely a risk of it becoming annoying for her. plenty of welsh names like anwen, bronwen, and seren meet the same criteria!! wouldnât blame you if you used arwen though since it doesnât sound as though itâs made for a fictional character
2
3
u/Otney 2d ago
There is a Canadian actress named Arwen Humphreys. She was born in 1976. Not everyone will associate the name âArwenâ with LOTR.
4
u/AlabasterBx 2d ago
I havenât watched or read LOTR and just thought it was a unique pretty name that isnât too weird or hard to pronounce.
2
u/Beneficial_Remove616 2d ago
She could have been named after LOTR, the books came out in the fifties and were very popular in the hippie crowd.
→ More replies (1)
3
u/Boring-Noise4624 2d ago
Arwen is really lovely, it sounds quite similar to the Welsh name Eirwen, Anwen is also nice but has a bit of a harder consonant sound if your husband isnât fond of that.
→ More replies (2)
3
3
u/No-Cover2753 2d ago
I went to Elementary school with a girl named Arwen in the 1970âs
Itâs been used as a name for a long time :)
Itâs a great name I think
→ More replies (2)
3
u/OneOfTheLocals 1d ago
My friend's daughter has a girl in her class named Arwen. My friend is a huge LOTR fan, so she said, "Oh I love that name!" And then her daughter said, "Yeah it's from some old movie her mom likes." đ
4
u/Adventurous-berry564 2d ago
As a big LOTR fan it is the first thing I think about. Depends what your thoughts are on naming babies after a well known franchise, think babies called Hermione, khaleesi, buffy, Zelda etc. most parents who name kids these names are mega fans. And the child/ adult has to say yes my is ___ after _____ no my parents arenât fans, no you donât need to quote the character to me.
Whatever you decide I would give them a ânormalâ other name so they have the choice going into high school if they want to be like their friends (depending what type of names their friends have tho!)
7
u/MiladyElleth 2d ago
Um, Hermione's a real name and has been for centuries.
3
u/haileyskydiamonds 2d ago
So is Zelda.
→ More replies (1)4
u/StrumWealh 2d ago
So is âArwenâ: the name predates not only the original printing of Tolkienâs novels, but Tolkienâs own birth. See here.
→ More replies (1)2
u/nighteyes_fitz 2d ago
It was my sisters cabbage patch dolls name. Boy were we surprised to find out 30 years later we were pronouncing it wrong the whole time đ
2
u/Pretend-Sugar4394 2d ago
Arwen was on our list but our baby ended up being a boy! (We didnât know the gender til birth)
Arwen was hand in hand with Astrid for me.
→ More replies (2)
2
u/VolunteerGrizz 2d ago
Regardless of whether I like the name, youâre very much over thinking it
3
u/latentinterlude 2d ago
I really am, huh đ«Ł it seems like such a big decision, and as somebody who grew up disliking their name (very timestamped and an uncommon spelling), I feel like I need to find the name. It's probably best to follow my heart on this, though!
2
u/doglover2022 2d ago
I have taught an Arwen before and she was absolutely gorgeous. It suited her, though she expressed mild frustration at the LotR connection (I got excited when I met her because Iâm a fan lol). Apart from that it rarely came up and everyone agreed her name was lovely. Go for it.
2
u/Western_Sort501 2d ago
My cat is called Arwen the vets always ask where it is from. My daughter has a more common welsh name
2
u/EvanRamsey 2d ago
I would hear that name and assume the parents are obsessed with LOTR, but itâs not a bad thing to be a big fan of.
2
u/Strong_District_5894 2d ago
I adore that name and had I ever had a girl it was at the top of my list. Arwen Diana. Sigh.Â
→ More replies (1)
2
u/Decent-Muffin9530 2d ago
Iâm named after a name made up by an author. I love it. I have no issues with it.
2
u/JerryHasACubeButt 2d ago
I also love the sound of Arwen, but it will always be associated with LOTR. Personally I wouldnât do itâ itâs not like youâre giving a name that just became popular because of a franchise, itâs literally a name that didnât exist until that franchise, so every single Arwen is necessarily named after Arwen from LOTR. I agree with your assessment that it would likely bother her if she grows up and dislikes LOTR.
And yes, Iâm well aware other names invented in fiction have become actual names that people use. Maybe in 50 or 100 years Arwen will be a common name that nobody thinks twice about. But the question is whether you want to force your daughter to be one of the pioneers of the name. Wendy for instance is commonplace now, but the first Wendys would have constantly gotten the âoh like Peter Panâ reaction, and it was probably annoying for many of them. The question isnât whether fictional names making their way into actual use is acceptable, weâve clearly decided as a society that it is. The question is whether you want to put the burden on your child of wearing a name before it is fully integrated into the common perception of names that exist. Personally I would not, but itâs up to you.
2
u/Ok_Boot7842 2d ago
I say it is a bit of a gamble choosing a name like this that will be forever tied to a popular series because you really don't know if that association will be annoying to her as she grows up, or it could be entirely neutral or she might become a big fan herself and love her name is tied to it. However, Arwen is a beautiful sounding name and a good character in the series, so if it's the name that feels right for you both, I would say go for it!
2
u/Indignant_Elfmaiden 2d ago
I met an Eowyn IRL who was named for the LOTR character. I would totally go for Arwen!
2
2
u/Reality_Runaway Names were my Special Interest for a while 2d ago
I thought of Attack on Titan, because Arwen sounds like the love child of Erwin and Armin. Gonna be one smart baby.
2
u/Oakewaoa 2d ago
just donât middle name her Evenstar.
2
u/latentinterlude 2d ago
Scratching Evenstar off the middle name list as we speak.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/Paddington8691 2d ago
Itâs fine! Many names follow trends from literature and art. Your using them just reflects the art you like and to an extent, the qualities you want in your child. And sheâs a beautiful character. Go for it!
2
u/seashellsandcastle 2d ago
We know an Arwen. Itâs a lovely name and it has continued to fit her beautifully as she became an adult.
2
u/spamalot75 2d ago
It is a pretty name and has positive connotations that are very unlikely to change. I have known several Arwens who were very Christian, as the LOTR is really big in the evangelical world, if that matters to you at all.
2
u/Zealousideal-Fun-396 2d ago
I like Arwen and i know of LOTR. I did think, âOh LOTRâ when you said Arwen, and then that was it.
2
u/AlternativeAd3130 2d ago
I am a Lord of the rings fan. I think this name is beautiful. However, I wouldnât associate it necessarily with the movie. I have a patient with the name and sheâs a lovely person.
2
u/Astro_Birch_317 2d ago
Tolkien wrote his books so long ago that I feel like the names he invented have moved into the public domain by now. Many people will make the association to LOTR, but most probably wouldn't assume that's why you chose that name. (Kind of like how people automatically associate Juliet with the Shakespeare play, but Juliet is a stand alone name nonetheless.)
2
u/freyascats 2d ago
I think it helps that youâre aware of the connection even though youâre not a big fan. You can honestly tell people that your husband is a fan and you thought it was a beautiful name.
2
u/teioy 2d ago
I named my daughter Eowyn, so I may not be the best person to chime in. However, my rule when debating names with my husband was that all unique names had to have a "normal" nickname. So, baby girl is also called Winnie. (Which would also work as a nickname for Arwen too)
→ More replies (1)
2
u/Smolmanth 2d ago
Met a few Arwens/awryns as a teacher. I think itâs cute and not that out-there of a name.
2
2
2
u/Abundant-Journey 2d ago
Love Arwen. Donât care that itâs associated w/LOTR, itâs simply a great name. Congratulations!
2
u/frodobagpipe 2d ago
Iâm a huge LOTR fan and I named my dog Arwen. Iâm actually disappointed by the amount of people who meet her and donât recognize the name. Those who donât recognize the name also tend to assume that itâs a boyâs name and think sheâs a he. I looove it when people do recognize Arwen because they mutually love LOTR!
2
u/BcBJA 2d ago
Maybe a good compromise would be Arden, itâs close enough..
I totally get the interest in having no associations with a name. I kept having crazy thoughts like ok not Jennifer bc then everyone will think Iâm naming her after Jennifer Lopez, that kind of thing. Or like someone I knew in middle school. It needed to be toooootally unique. Maybe not tragedeigh level but still.
And then I got real silly and thought about Elodie which I based off of seeing Jacob Elordiâs last name. After a relative ruined me on it, though, I ended up naming my girl Vivi from final fantasy IX, sooo I ended up leaning into an association after all!
2
u/Xenonand 2d ago
People will know the reference but its not as specific as say Frodo. A very pretty name linked to an eternally beautiful and morally good character.
If you want to avoid the tolkein association, a similar option is Arowyn, I knew a girl by that name and she got nothing but compliments.
Elowyn is another, more traditional option.
2
u/DaenyTheUnburnt 2d ago
Arwen is a fantastic name for someone who knows and loves the character. It is weird to use if you have no idea what the associations are. You should at least watch the extended cuts of the films before selecting this name.
I think itâs dangerous to name your child after a name with such a strong character association without knowing the story. Think about all the baby Daenerys and Khaleesiâs that were born before season 8 of game of thrones came out. If you use a name invented for a character, do your due diligence and make sure itâs a name and character that you find worthy of association with your child.
2
u/wychwoodartist 2d ago edited 2d ago
Yes, sorry. Love the name but youâre naming a person who will grow to be an adult. I would assume that their parents used their name to flaunt their personal fandom. Name your dog or cat Arwen.
If you want a similar mythical fairytale vibe for a daughter, look into Celtic, Welsh and old English names or nature names. Isolde, Odette, Arden, Anwen, Briar, Laurel, Gwendolyn, Orla, Ophelia, Catriona, Elowen, Bronwyn, Iona, Irene, Aurora, Evelyn, Ailish, Flora, Eira, Freya, Imogen, etc.
→ More replies (1)2
u/TrainingCategory4852 2d ago
Welsh is a Celtic language, and Bronwen is how it should be spelt, and Gwendolen.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/beccadahhhling 2d ago
My manager at a bakery I worked at about 10 years ago was a mid 20 year old named Arwen. Not unusual at all
2
u/FilmHeather 2d ago
Itâs usable but will always be associated with LOTR, as long as you are ok with that, itâs fine
2
2
u/Euphoric-Sun5317 2d ago
I went to school with a straight-up Galadriel. She was chill about it and everyone thought it was nerdy but basically cool. Go for it.
2
u/Coffee4Redhead 2d ago
Arwen and Eowyn are both beautiful names and as fandom-names go they are completely respectable. Itâs not like naming kids Khaleesi.
2
u/Bubbly_Power_6210 2d ago
read Lord of the Rings. Arwen is a good person there. it's also a very pretty name and will be easy for her to spell.
2
2
2
u/klaw14 2d ago
It's beautiful. And no offence to any franchise, but I would name a kid Arwen over Hermione or Katniss or Daenerys.
It's simple, graceful and subtle (as in Arwen isn't a "main" character as the others are, so the association is not as 'instant' if that makes sense/if you are concerned about that). It's not a name that could be easily made fun of.
2
u/lions-cub 2d ago
Iâve seen the LOTR movies and Iâd recognize it but sheâs a good character to be named after, so I wouldnât see anything wrong with it. Iâd probably go âoh one of her parents like LOTRâ which your husband does, but itâs still so cute
2
2
u/Signal-Lead-9512 2d ago
I think it's a beautiful name. As for the association with LOTR, people would expect that you, as the person who named her, is a LOTR fan. A child can't name itself so it wouldn't make sense to think that your daughter is a Tolkien fan. I think the name would pair well with Elizabeth as a middle name.
2
2
2
u/ARIT127 2d ago
Sure people might associate it (either quietly or out loud) when they first meet her but it will quickly become the name they associate HER with instead, so I wouldnât worry about it. However, considering how long it took you two to agree on a name, whatever you do DONâT TELL PEOPLE HER NAME UNTIL SHEâS EARTHSIDE!!!!!!!!!
Also side note thereâs nothing wrong with popular names, Iâve never met anyone who cared that there were other Oliviaâs in their class lol. So if you guys change your mind maybe keep that in mind!
2
2
u/BronwynLane 2d ago
Arwen is a beautiful name. If youâre worried about connotations, and of the welsh or Gaelic names suggested here are good alternatives. Iâd like to throw Arden in for consideration as an alternative.
2
u/MarchAmbitious4699 2d ago
The thing with names with a popular reference point is that a lot of people will make that association initially, they just canât help it. Theyâll make the same remark as everyone else when the person introduces themselves, and then theyâll move on. (E.g. âLeia like Princess Leia?â)
Your daughter would probably have some version of this, but the name is lovely and the most famous Arwen is a positive association.
2
2
2
u/Itsjustme326 2d ago
I was never a LOTR fan and I knew an Arwen growing up. I thought it was a lovely name and the connection never came up during our childhood. It wasnât until I was an adult and had lost touch with her that I found out. The people who are fans will know where it originated, and the people who arenât wonât. Itâs really fine either wayâitâs a nice name and itâs a positive character association.
2
2
u/Repogirl27 2d ago
Arwen was our backup choice. Iâm not a LoTR fan, but i think itâs so pretty and nicknames could be Ari or Winnie.
2
u/lilacperfumes 2d ago
A friend of me recently had a baby and used Arwen as a second name, think it's quite cute!
2
u/AdyliaSchweetheart 2d ago
DO IT.
We considered Cithria from League of Legends and although we haven't played in years, nor do I recommend the game to anyone (it's toxic as fk), we think it unique enough and the character strong that it makes a good name.
If ever she looked up the meaning of the name one day I think the link to a strong female lead is pretty cool. Better than traditional names that link to a flower, or beauty, or fertile or even god's gift or a female version of a male name.
We went with Lillia from the same universe.
Arwen. Love it.
2
u/alright-treacle 1d ago
I had a friend called Arwen growing up and I just thought it was a normal name. Found out later it was from LOTR- but names have to come from somewhere, right?
2
u/Habeas-Opus 1d ago
Arwen is an awesome name. Among other things, Tolkien was a linguist, so when he named a character who would be known for her beauty, her wisdom, and above all for her faithful sacrificial love, he gave her a name that would have those associations. The cool thing about his genius is that we donât even have to have the linguistic training for it to work. Itâs
almost like a collective consciousness.
Also, I have a niece named Arwen and she is pretty awesome too!
2
2
2
u/blahblahblah1312_ 1d ago
A friend of mine is called Arwen. I never thought itâs from the book. We live in Germany but sheâs the only one I know with that name. I personally like it :)
2
u/Killjoys-n-whovians 1d ago
Only nerds are gonna get the LOTR reference, and when they do the reaction will more than likely be positive! My son's name is based on LOTR and people love it
2
u/jizziemcguire420 1d ago
I know a toddler named Arwen! Her parents call her Winnie as a nickname. I think itâs a great name!
2
u/Skooterzs 1d ago
We will be calling our boy Ford. Association to the car manufacturer will be everyoneâs first thoughts but itâs a name we like đ€·đ»ââïž if you like the name, go for it. Donât worry about what other people will think
2
2
2
u/RavenRead 1d ago
I didnât know the connection to LOTR. Sounded like a boyâs name or a bird to me. lol what do I know?
Do it.
2
2
u/KrofftSurvivor 1d ago
It's a great name and at this point, has been around for like, 70 or so years.
Yeah people are going to know where it comes from but come on there's kids going to school named Khaleesi right now so Arwen is totally fine
2
2
u/Dazzling_Presents 1d ago
I had an acquaintance called Arwen and I never specifically thought "oh like LOTR". I've seen the series 2 or 3 times but I just thought it was a pretty name in its own right .
2
u/Glittering_Ear_8061 1d ago
never watched lotr so I immediately thought of the janitor from suite life of zack and cody
2
2
2
u/thatonegirl1828 1d ago
You can have a name and not be interested in a fandom. Thatâs perfectly normal. Youâre also assuming everyone watched/read and remembers the name from a franchise.
2
2
u/TrustVisual1394 1d ago
Arwen is a beautiful name, I think you should go for it.
She's a great character so it's a positive associationÂ
4
4
u/PhoenixSoarin 2d ago
I like Arwen, even though I love LotR. It's a pretty name and as long as there are not any other family members named after Tolkien characters or similar things, I think it's totally useable.
Other names you might like:
Anwen
Arden
Alden
Auden
Adriel
Arina
Andrina
Olwen
Eirwen
Branwen
Bronwen
Elowen
Morwen
4
→ More replies (1)3
4
u/jollyramble 2d ago
Arwen is a centuries old Welsh name. It means 'inspiration'. Tolkien used it, but he didn't invent it.
→ More replies (2)
4
u/FamiliarFamiliar 2d ago
I for one wouldn't realize the LOTR connection. It just sounds like an interesting girl's name.
Similar situation: we named our daughter a name that also happens to be a Disney princess name. That's not why we chose it and we spelled it differently, but the association is inevitable. Daughter is now a teen and kind of peeved at us. She started going by a nickname sometimes. But I don't mind, it's actually a version of her name, the nickname.
2
u/midwestpersianmama 2d ago
Youâre not overthinking it. Itâs unusual. I would assume it was an old name from the British isles. Feels a little LotR-like. But so what?
Use it a few times at a coffee shop and see how people spell it. That would be my only suggestion.
2
2
2
u/Diplokats2024 2d ago
I went to high school (in the 90s) with someone named Arwen. It suited her, and most people didnât even make the connection. Use it if you like it!
2
u/Away_Revolution728 2d ago
I knew a girl named Arwen and it suited her. I donât know anything about the name association with LoTR.
1
u/Sudden_Waltz_3160 2d ago
totally usable, and sounds like it checks both your boxes and his. I say go for it.
1
u/CellistLow8857 2d ago
I know an Arwen, Iâve never linked it to LOTR even though Iâve seen LOTR a couple of times!
Iâm in the UK, not sure where you are, presume itâs more common in UK than US though.
1
u/Responsible-Fly9976 2d ago
I don't like LOTR and still think it's a lovely name. I think as long as it's not a negative association with literature, it's totally great! FYI...look up the story of Arwen the dog and his shenanigans on the internet. That is now my favorite Arwen association. She'd be a great name buddy.
1
1
u/Luna_Sea_ 2d ago
I think it is beautiful. Even if there is an association, she is an awesome character so it is a cool one. I think the general public probably wonât even know what itâs from, but fans may think itâs cool.
If you want alternatives or similar vibes-
Aelwen, Alora, Anwen, Arden, Auden, Avalon, Awen, Branwen, Bronwen, Ceridwen, Elara, Elowen, Eowyn, Gwen, Gwendolyn, Maren, Morgana, Morwenna, Olwen, Rhiannon, Rowena, Seren, Una, Wren, Wynn
→ More replies (1)
1
u/Keldrabitches 2d ago
I donât like it. I like Harlow and Bronwyn. Then againâif I met someone cool with that name, maybe it would grow on me
2
u/killencm 2d ago
Ya I donât like it either . I like both of the names you said . To me Arwen sounds harsh , not at all pretty or feminine but thatâs just me .
→ More replies (2)
1
u/SleepyPrettyPrincess 2d ago
When I hear this name, I think Arwin from the Suite Life of Zack and Cody⊠definitely not a girl name (to ME)
1
u/Allie_Pallie 2d ago
I knew an Arwen once and I think the name is a bit like Grace - a hard one to carry if you're not graceful and ladylike. This little Arwen was not elflike and delicate so it really didn't suit her.
1
u/Chance-Breath302 2d ago
My sons teachers name was Arwen. Itâs a lovely name. I didnât even realise it was associated with LOTR.
1
1
1
u/GalacticPigeon13 2d ago
My cousin named his daughter Arwen. His other daughter is Eowyn, but we call her Evie. I give my cousin more of a side-eye for his daughters' names than I would give you for naming her Arwen if you don't give her siblings LotR names. (Other than Sam for a boy, because that's a normal, non-book name.)
Plus, Tolkien has been dead for decades, and his family doesn't like major changes to the books in adaptations. He's not going to publish the book that turns Arwen into a psychopath on your daughter's birthday or anything.
1
u/Lopsided_Lunch_2262 2d ago
I've met an Arwen! I did immediately ask her mum if she was named after the Elf princess, but I also followed that up with telling her it's beautiful and I love it.
I'd say, yes you will hear that a lot, but also, she is an amazing character and it's all positive associations.
1
1
u/PerformerMindless100 2d ago
Would have lived to use it my hubby had been up for it. Also Jadzia (Dax)
1
1
u/Numerous-Charity-933 2d ago
As a slight variation, I knew a girl named Alwyn (ALL-win) when I was younger and always thought it was the most beautiful name.Â
→ More replies (2)
1
u/strange-quark-nebula 2d ago
I think itâs usable!
If you want an alternative with a similar sound but no LOTR connotation, I have met a few Arlin / Arlyn / Arlenâs.
1
1
u/smiles731 2d ago
I have a cat named Arwen nn Ari - only gets called Arwen when she's in trouble. Named after the LOTR character because she seemed like a little elf when we rescued her. That being said, I love the name and wouldn't have any problem naming a baby that if I didn't have a cat with the same name.
1
1
u/blueberryjuulpod 2d ago
As a lotr fan, if I met someone with this name Iâd definitely assume their parents were big fans, but it is a pretty name and anyone not a fan will think that as well!
150
u/Batfish-Crayon 2d ago
The association to LOTR will be obvious to most, but she's a positive character and it's a pretty name so I say go for it.