This page is historical. Follow this link for the current version.
Dictionary of Medieval Names
from European Sources

Guinevere f. Proto-Celtic *windo 'white' + Proto-Celtic *sēbro 'demon, spectre'.

The name of the beloved of Arthur in the Arthurian legends which were extremely popular in many forms in the Middle Ages.

England
Latin
1340xc1450 Guenhowar (nom) CovGuild-1 p. 6
Early Modern English
1559 Gwenhwyvar RegSASel p. 5; 1560 Gwenhwyvar ibid. p. 5
Italy
Latin
1522x1532 Genefra (nom) DSF p. 51, 24; 1527 Ginevra (nom) Rome1527 p. 86
Wales
Welsh
1560 Gwenhoyver RegCon1 p. 19; 1582 Gaynor ibid. p. 36; 1590 Gainor ibid. p. 59; 1595 Gainor ibid. p. 73
Cite as: S.L. Uckelman. "Guinevere". In S.L. Uckelman, ed. The Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, Edition 2016, no. 3. http://dmnes.org/2016/3/name/Guinevere.