blythe

Blythe is a name that appears as both a surname and a given name of English origin. It derives from the Old English blithe, meaning cheerful or pleasant, and has historically appeared in various spellings such as Blithe. In modern usage, Blythe is more commonly used as a female given name in English-speaking countries, though it has also been used as a surname.

Notable people with the name include Blythe Danner (born 1943), an American actress known for work in film, stage, and television; she is the mother of actress Gwyneth Paltrow. The name Blythe has appeared in various other contexts, but Danner remains the most widely recognized figure in popular culture associated with the given name.

Blythe also refers to a doll and to places. The Blythe doll is a fashion doll that debuted in 1972 from Kenner. It is distinguished by an oversized head and large, movable eyes that change color with a pull-string mechanism. Although the original run was short-lived in the United States, the line was revived in 2001 by the Japanese company Takara, and Blythe dolls have since become highly collectible and influential in doll art and fashion circles.

Geographically, Blythe is the name of several places in the United States, including Blythe, California, a city in Riverside County along the Colorado River. The name is also used for other localities and features in English-speaking regions.