Names by Origin
Welsh Names
Names from the Welsh-language tradition, with deep Celtic roots.
Aeron
berry
Alun
Aneurin
Anwen
very fair
Arwel
Beti
pledged to God
Branwen
blessed raven
Bryn
hill
Cadell
battle
Cadoc
battle
Cai
rejoicer
Caradog
beloved
Carys
love
Catrin
pure
Celyn
holly
Ceri
Dafydd
beloved
Dewi
beloved
Dilys
genuine, perfect
Dwynwen
Dylan
son of the sea
Efa
life
Eira
snow
Eisteddfod
The Welsh-language tradition
Welsh (Cymraeg) is a Brittonic Celtic language with a long literary tradition, and many names here are Welsh-language forms with their own spelling rules. Letter combinations such as dd, ll, f (pronounced like English v) and the circumflex on ô change pronunciation, so the written shape is part of the name itself. Some entries are anglicised versions of older Welsh names.
Meanings and legend
Several Welsh names are tied to medieval Welsh literature and the Mabinogion, which is part of why the tradition feels so distinctive. A legendary association, however, is not the same as a securely established literal etymology. Where the linguistic derivation is well supported we show a meaning; where it is uncertain or rests mainly on legend, we show the name alone.
Meanings are included where reliable information is available. These names reflect a naming tradition, not current popularity in any country.