Meaning of Blodeuwedd

Based on the mythological text Mabinogi, the meaning of Blodeuwedd is “face of flowers”, or “flower face”. She was created by Gwydion for his nephew Lleu Llaw Gyffes from the blossoms of broom, meadow-sweet, and oak. Beautiful but unfaithful, she is eventually punished for infidelity by eternal transformation into an owl. Thus, the name Blodeuwedd encompasses both grace and rebellion, romance and tragedy. The name Blodenwedd means “Blood Wedding” and is a traditional Welsh ceremony of death. It is a time for family members and friends to gather together to say goodbye, share stories, and grieve. Another meaning of Blodeuwedd is “bloody” or “troubled,” which tells you a lot about the level of Blodenwedd. You can read more of the history and myths in “Blodeuwedd Myths.”

Face of flowers

Blodeuwedd is a reviving and sad ceremony. It doesn’t matter how old you are; you will always feel like your heart will break when you say goodbye to a loved one. You may also feel happy and excited to see what they wanted you to have after they die.

Popularity of Blodeuwedd

According to common baby-naming websites, the popularity of Blodeuwedd is low, and rarely found outside of the United Kingdom. It does not appear in the top 100 popular names of 2017.

In Popular Culture

Blodeuwedd is also a part of the Mabinogi, or traditional Welsh mythology, though it has many versions. In the versions of Mabinogi, Blodeuwedd is a girl who turns into an owl. In the Blodeuwedd version, you will find out the story of Blodeuwedd and her brother Gwydion. John Steinbeck briefly mentions the name Blodeuwedd in his story Sweet Thursday (1954). The story and name of Blodeuwedd are used in the Alan Gardner novel The Owl Service (1967), and the Welsh book and film, Tylluan Wen. The Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru has revived the classic story of Blodeuwedd, setting it during World War II.

Useful Resources

Discover the meaning and history of other Welsh girls’ names on this website.