What does Seren mean?
The modern Welsh word for 'star', a popular girls' name in Wales. (A separate Turkish surname Seren is unrelated.)
What does Olwen mean?
Olwen means “white footprint,” for flowers said to spring up where she walked.
Seren vs Olwen
Which is more popular?
Seren is more popular than Olwen today: about 50 US babies were given the name Seren in 2025, compared with 0 named Olwen.
| Seren | Olwen | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Star | White footprint |
| Origin | welsh | Welsh |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | SEH-ren | OL-wen |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1981 | 1913 |
| Peak year | 2016 (62) | 1917 (12) |
| In 2025 | 50 | 0 |
| Trend | Steady | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Seren
Olwen
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Seren | Olwen |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 214 | 0 |
| 2010s | 471 | 5 |
| 2000s | 255 | 0 |
| 1990s | 62 | 0 |
| 1980s | 24 | 0 |
| 1910s | 0 | 22 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Seren or Olwen more popular?
Seren is more popular than Olwen today: about 50 US babies were given the name Seren in 2025, compared with 0 named Olwen.
What is the difference between Seren and Olwen?
Seren means Star (welsh origin), while Olwen means White footprint (Welsh origin).
Which name is older, Seren or Olwen?
In US records, Seren first appears in 1981 and Olwen in 1913, so Olwen has the longer recorded history.