ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 3019 http://www.s-gabriel.org/3019 ************************************ 2 Mar 2005 From: Josh Mittleman Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel! You asked how early the Welsh feminine name was used. Here is what we have found. Unfortunately, it is a modern name. The name is identical to the modern Welsh word for "sunshine" [1]. As part of a fashion for Welsh culture in the 19th century, a great many new names -- and especially feminine names -- were created by using common words as names [2]. is undoubtedly an example of this trend. The only reference we have found to the name is in a modern Welsh baby-name book. That book gives no historical information about the name, which in that source indicates that it is a modern invention [3]. We hope this letter has been useful. Please write us again if any part of it has been unclear or if you have other questions. I was assisted in researching and writing this letter by Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn and Talan Gwynek. For the Academy, Arval Benicoeur 3 Mar 2005 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - References [1] Evans, H. Meurig & W.O. Thomas, _Y Geiriadur Mawr_ (The Big [Welsh] Dictionary) (Llandysul: Gomer Press, 1987), s.v. heulwen. [2] Morgan, Gerald. "Naming Welsh Women" in Nomina, 18:119-139, 1995. [3] Gruffudd, Heini, _Enwau i'r Cymry/Welsh Personal Names_ (Talybont: Y Lolfa, 1984), s.n. Heulwen.