Welsh names are known for their lyrical beauty, rich history, and deep cultural significance. Whether you're of Welsh heritage or simply drawn to the unique charm of these names, choosing a Welsh name for your baby is a way to bestow a sense of history, mythology, and poetic elegance. This article will explore some of the most popular and meaningful Welsh baby names for both boys and girls, providing insights into their origins, meanings, and cultural significance.
Welsh Origin Baby Boy Names
- Aled - Of Welsh origin, meaning "offspring" or "descendant."
- Aneirin - Welsh name meaning "noble" or "honored."
- Anwyn - Of Welsh origin, meaning "very fair" or "blessed."
- Arwel - Welsh name meaning "prominent" or "visible."
- Bedwyr - Of Welsh origin, known as one of King Arthur's knights, meaning "grave knower."
- Bleddyn - Welsh name meaning "wolf hero."
- Bowen - Of Welsh origin, meaning "son of Owen."
- Bran - Welsh name meaning "raven."
- Bryn - Of Welsh origin, meaning "hill" or "mound."
- Cadell - Welsh name meaning "battle" or "spirit of battle."
- Caden - Of Welsh origin, meaning "spirit of battle" or "companion."
- Cadfael - Welsh name meaning "battle prince."
- Cadoc - Of Welsh origin, meaning "battle" or "warrior."
- Caradoc - Welsh name meaning "beloved" or "amiable."
- Cian - Of Welsh origin, meaning "ancient" or "enduring."
- Cledwyn - Welsh name meaning "rough" or "hallowed."
- Cledr - Of Welsh origin, meaning "the hardy one."
- Clydno - Welsh name meaning "famous" or "renowned."
- Collen - Of Welsh origin, meaning "hazel" or "holly."
- Corwyn - Welsh name meaning "heart’s friend" or "companion."
- Cynan - Of Welsh origin, meaning "chief" or "ruler."
- Dafydd - Welsh form of David, meaning "beloved."
- Daffyd - Another Welsh form of David, also meaning "beloved."
- Deiniol - Of Welsh origin, meaning "of Daniel" or "from Daniel."
- Derwyn - Welsh name meaning "oak tree" or "fortress of oak."
- Dewi - Welsh form of David, meaning "beloved."
- Dylan - Of Welsh origin, meaning "son of the sea" or "born from the ocean."
- Eifion - Welsh name meaning "place name" or "enduring."
- Eilian - Of Welsh origin, meaning "second" or "a moment in time."
- Elis - Welsh form of Elias, meaning "the Lord is my God."
- Elwyn - Of Welsh origin, meaning "white" or "fair."
- Emrys - Welsh form of Ambrose, meaning "immortal" or "divine."
- Euros - Of Welsh origin, meaning "golden."
- Ewyn - Welsh name meaning "youthful" or "new."
- Geraint - Of Welsh origin, meaning "old" or "respectable."
- Gethin - Welsh name meaning "dark-skinned" or "dusky."
- Glyn - Of Welsh origin, meaning "valley."
- Goronwy - Welsh name meaning "from Goron’s land" or "princely."
- Gruffudd - Of Welsh origin, meaning "strong lord" or "chief."
- Gwyn - Welsh name meaning "blessed" or "white."
- Gwion - Of Welsh origin, meaning "born of a god."
- Gwythyr - Welsh name meaning "victory" or "triumph."
- Harri - Welsh form of Harry, meaning "home ruler."
- Hefin - Of Welsh origin, meaning "summer."
- Heulyn - Welsh name meaning "sun" or "radiance."
- Hywel - Of Welsh origin, meaning "eminent" or "conspicuous."
- Iago - Welsh form of Jacob, meaning "supplanter."
- Idwal - Of Welsh origin, meaning "lord" or "ruler."
- Ieuan - Welsh form of John, meaning "God is gracious."
- Ifan - Another Welsh form of John, also meaning "God is gracious."
- Iolo - Welsh diminutive of Iorwerth, meaning "handsome lord."
- Iorwerth - Of Welsh origin, meaning "handsome lord."
- Isfryn - Welsh name meaning "of the upper land" or "from the heights."
- Islwyn - Of Welsh origin, meaning "below the grove" or "beneath the woods."
- Iwan - Welsh form of John, meaning "God is gracious."
- Jac - Welsh form of Jack, meaning "God is gracious."
- Llyr - Of Welsh origin, meaning "the sea" or "god of the sea."
- Loughlin - Welsh name meaning "from the land of lakes."
- Llywelyn - Of Welsh origin, meaning "leader" or "lion-like."
- Madoc - Welsh name meaning "fortunate" or "benefactor."
- Maredudd - Of Welsh origin, meaning "magnificent lord."
- Mathonwy - Welsh name meaning "son of Math."
- Meical - Welsh form of Michael, meaning "who is like God?"
- Meirion - Of Welsh origin, meaning "from the region of Merioneth."
- Morgan - Welsh name meaning "sea-born" or "great circle."
- Morlais - Of Welsh origin, meaning "voice of the sea."
- Myrddin - Welsh form of Merlin, meaning "sea fort."
- Nesta - Welsh form of Agnes, meaning "pure" or "holy."
- Nudd - Of Welsh origin, meaning "mist" or "lord."
- Owain - Welsh form of Eugene, meaning "well-born" or "youthful."
- Padrig - Welsh form of Patrick, meaning "noble" or "patrician."
- Pedr - Welsh form of Peter, meaning "rock" or "stone."
- Peredur - Of Welsh origin, meaning "hard spearman."
- Prys - Welsh form of Price, meaning "son of Rhys."
- Pryderi - Of Welsh origin, meaning "care" or "thought."
- Rhain - Welsh name meaning "spear" or "lance."
- Rhodri - Of Welsh origin, meaning "wheel" or "great king."
- Rhydian - Welsh name meaning "of the ford."
- Rhys - Of Welsh origin, meaning "enthusiasm" or "ardor."
- Roderick - Welsh name meaning "famous ruler."
- Rohan - Of Welsh origin, meaning "sandalwood" or "ascending."
- Selwyn - Welsh name meaning "manor-friend" or "good friend."
- Steffan - Welsh form of Stephen, meaning "crown" or "garland."
- Sion - Welsh form of John, meaning "God is gracious."
- Taliesin - Welsh name meaning "shining brow" or "radiant brow."
- Tegid - Of Welsh origin, meaning "fair" or "beautiful."
- Tewdwr - Welsh form of Theodore, meaning "gift of God."
- Trystan - Welsh form of Tristan, meaning "tumult" or "riot."
- Talfryn - Of Welsh origin, meaning "high hill."
- Tomos - Welsh form of Thomas, meaning "twin."
- Trefor - Of Welsh origin, meaning "large village" or "settlement."
- Tudur - Welsh form of Tudor, meaning "ruler of the people."
- Tybalt - Of Welsh origin, meaning "bold people."
- Tylan - Welsh name meaning "high land" or "elevated."
- Urien - Welsh name meaning "privileged" or "blessed."
- Vaughn - Of Welsh origin, meaning "small" or "little."
- Wren - Welsh name meaning "small bird" or "songbird."
- Wynn - Of Welsh origin, meaning "fair" or "blessed."
- Yestin - Welsh form of Justin, meaning "just" or "righteous."
- Yorath - Of Welsh origin, meaning "lord" or "leader."
Welsh Origin Baby Girl Names
- Aelwen - Of Welsh origin, meaning "fair brow" or "blessed brow."
- Aeronwen - Welsh name meaning "fair" or "blessed" and associated with berries or fruit.
- Alaw - Of Welsh origin, meaning "melody" or "harmony."
- Alys - Welsh form of Alice, meaning "noble" or "kind."
- Aneira - Of Welsh origin, meaning "truly golden" or "very bright."
- Angharad - Welsh name meaning "much loved" or "cherished."
- Anwen - Of Welsh origin, meaning "very fair" or "beautiful."
- Arwen - Welsh name meaning "noble maiden" or "fair lady."
- Awen - Of Welsh origin, meaning "inspiration" or "poetic inspiration."
- Blodwen - Welsh name meaning "white flower" or "fair flower."
- Blodeuwedd - Of Welsh origin, meaning "flower face" from Welsh mythology.
- Branwen - Welsh name meaning "beautiful raven."
- Briallen - Of Welsh origin, meaning "primrose."
- Bronwen - Welsh name meaning "fair breast" or "blessed breast."
- Cadi - Welsh diminutive of Catrin, meaning "pure."
- Carys - Of Welsh origin, meaning "love" or "beloved."
- Ceinwen - Welsh name meaning "lovely" or "beautiful."
- Cerridwen - Of Welsh origin, meaning "fair poet" or "blessed poetry."
- Cerys - Welsh name meaning "love" or "beloved."
- Cledwyn - Of Welsh origin, meaning "rough" or "blessed".
- Clytemnestra - Of Greek origin, often used in Wales, meaning "famous for her husband".
- Crisiant - Welsh name meaning "crystal" or "clear."
- Delyth - Of Welsh origin, meaning "pretty" or "neat."
- Derwen - Welsh name meaning "oak tree."
- Dilys - Of Welsh origin, meaning "genuine" or "sincere."
- Dwynwen - Welsh name meaning "wave" or "blessed," also the patron saint of lovers in Wales.
- Efa - Welsh form of Eve, meaning "life" or "living."
- Eilonwy - Of Welsh origin, meaning "melody" or "song."
- Eira - Welsh name meaning "snow."
- Eirian - Of Welsh origin, meaning "bright" or "splendid."
- Eiry - Welsh name meaning "snow" or "snowy."
- Elain - Of Welsh origin, meaning "fawn" or "young deer."
- Elen - Welsh form of Helen, meaning "light" or "torch."
- Eluned - Of Welsh origin, meaning "idol" or "image."
- Eleri - Welsh name meaning "very bitter" or "abounding in bitterness."
- Enid - Of Welsh origin, meaning "soul" or "life."
- Eos - Welsh name meaning "nightingale."
- Esyllt - Of Welsh origin, meaning "fair lady" or "of fair aspect," a Welsh form of Isolde.
- Eurwen - Welsh name meaning "golden" or "blessed."
- Ffion - Of Welsh origin, meaning "foxglove" (a type of flower).
- Fflur - Welsh name meaning "flower."
- Gaenor - Of Welsh origin, meaning "fair" or "white."
- Glesni - Welsh name meaning "blue" or "sky-colored."
- Gwen - Of Welsh origin, meaning "white" or "blessed."
- Gwenan - Welsh name meaning "white" or "blessed."
- Gwenfair - Of Welsh origin, meaning "fair" or "blessed."
- Gwenith - Welsh name meaning "wheat" or "blessed."
- Gwenllian - Of Welsh origin, meaning "white lily."
- Gwennol - Welsh name meaning "swallow" (a type of bird).
- Gwenyth - Of Welsh origin, meaning "white" or "blessed."
- Haf - Welsh name meaning "summer."
- Heledd - Of Welsh origin, meaning "salt" or "weeping."
- Hedydd - Welsh name meaning "skylark" (a type of bird).
- Helygen - Of Welsh origin, meaning "willow."
- Iola - Welsh form of Iole, meaning "violet."
- Isolde - Welsh form of a name from Arthurian legend, meaning "fair lady."
- Lili - Of Welsh origin, meaning "lily" (a type of flower).
- Llio - Welsh diminutive form of names starting with "L", meaning "lily."
- Llinos - Of Welsh origin, meaning "linnet" (a small songbird).
- Lowri - Welsh form of Laura, meaning "laurel."
- Mabli - Of Welsh origin, meaning "lovable" or "dear," the Welsh form of Mabel.
- Mai - Welsh name meaning "May" or "from May."
- Mair - Welsh form of Mary, meaning "bitter" or "beloved."
- Mared - Of Welsh origin, meaning "pearl."
- Marged - Welsh form of Margaret, meaning "pearl."
- Mari - Welsh form of Mary, meaning "bitter" or "beloved."
- Megan - Of Welsh origin, meaning "pearl."
- Meinir - Welsh name meaning "tall" or "slender."
- Melangell - Of Welsh origin, meaning "dear angel."
- Morwen - Welsh name meaning "maiden" or "white sea."
- Myfanwy - Of Welsh origin, meaning "my dear one."
- Nesta - Welsh form of Agnes, meaning "pure" or "holy."
- Nia - Of Welsh origin, meaning "bright" or "radiant."
- Nerys - Welsh name meaning "lady" or "noble."
- Non - Of Welsh origin, meaning "nun" or "pure," traditionally associated with St. Non, the mother of St. David.
- Olwen - Welsh name meaning "white footprint" or "blessed."
- Rhiain - Of Welsh origin, meaning "maiden" or "noble."
- Rhiannon - Welsh name meaning "great queen" or "divine queen."
- Rhonwen - Of Welsh origin, meaning "fair" or "blessed."
- Rhian - Welsh name meaning "maiden" or "noble."
- Rhosyn - Of Welsh origin, meaning "rose."
- Rowena - Welsh name meaning "fame" or "white."
- Sioned - Welsh form of Janet, meaning "God is gracious."
- Siwan - Welsh form of Joan, meaning "God is gracious."
- Seren - Of Welsh origin, meaning "star."
- Sulwen - Welsh name meaning "fair sun" or "white sun."
- Tegan - Of Welsh origin, meaning "fair" or "beautiful."
- Teleri - Welsh name meaning "gentle" or "fair."
- Telyn - Of Welsh origin, meaning "harp."
- Tesni - Welsh name meaning "warmth from the sun."
- Tiwlip - Of Welsh origin, meaning "tulip."
- Trefina - Welsh name meaning "homestead" or "settlement."
- Trewen - Of Welsh origin, meaning "white town" or "blessed town."
- Teganwy - Welsh name meaning "beautiful" or "fair."
- Trystanwen - Of Welsh origin, a feminine form of Tristan, meaning "tumult."
- Tywyn - Welsh name meaning "sand dune."
- Wynn - Of Welsh origin, meaning "fair" or "blessed."
- Yseult - Welsh form of Isolde, meaning "fair lady."
- Ysobel - Welsh form of Isabel, meaning "pledged to God."
- Ysgrif - Of Welsh origin, meaning "writer" or "scribe."
The Cultural Significance of Welsh Names
Welsh names are deeply rooted in the country’s history, mythology, and landscape. Many names are derived from ancient Welsh words or have connections to figures in Welsh legends, such as Dylan, Owain, and Branwen. These names not only carry beautiful meanings but also tell stories of Wales’ rich cultural heritage.
The Welsh language itself is known for its melodic and poetic qualities, which is reflected in the names. Whether they are associated with nature, like Eira (snow) and Dylan (sea), or virtues like Carys (love) and Rhys (enthusiasm), Welsh names often embody qualities that parents hope to inspire in their children.
Modern Trends in Welsh Baby Names
In recent years, Welsh names have gained popularity beyond Wales, particularly in the UK and the US. Names like Dylan, Rhys, and Seren are now well-known and appreciated for their unique sounds and meanings. While some parents choose Welsh names to honor their heritage, others are drawn to their distinctive charm and the stories behind them.
Another trend is the revival of old Welsh names, like Emrys and Branwen, as parents seek names that are both meaningful and rare. These names provide a connection to ancient traditions while standing out in a modern context.
Conclusion
Welsh origin baby names offer a rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you are looking for a name that reflects strength, like Griffin or Rhys, or one that embodies love and beauty, like Carys or Arianwen, Welsh names provide a wide array of options with deep meanings and poetic resonance.
Choosing a Welsh name for your baby is not just about finding a beautiful name—it’s about connecting to a heritage that values storytelling, nature, and the power of language. Each name carries with it a legacy that can inspire and guide your child throughout their life, making it a meaningful and enduring choice.
