Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
Bretons are thought to be the natives of Brittany, a region in France (1). And Breton baby names reflect the strong artisans’ legacy of their ancient Altmer rule, cherishing nobility and power. The Bretons are considered to be especially religious and follow the Roman Catholic faith. Every town has its own patron saint, and the people honor them by immortalizing the saints as wooden statues in their churches. They are worshiped with great respect and often prayed for relief from the people’s sickness. Thus, the Bretons are a diverse group of people with interesting histories, traditions, and a deeply rooted faith. All of these influences can be seen in their names, such as Annick, meaning ‘God is gracious,’ Meriadoc, meaning ‘sea Lord,’ and Youenn, meaning ‘little archer.’ These names are mainly inspired by real-world French, English, and Gaelic names but are modified to give them the perfect Old English or Breton feel. But that’s not a hard-and-fast rule. Breton also uses plenty of unusual names that do not seem to fit any particular pattern. On the other hand, the family names or surnames are mainly normal French, English, or Gaelic last names. Breton baby names were at the height of their popularity in 1972, with over 2.975% of boys given Breton names and six of them appearing in the top 1,000 name list. The frequency of use may have declined over the years, but that doesn’t mean they are no longer in use. Breton names are still quite popular in Europe, especially among the Celtic Britons inhabiting the Brittany region. And if you are also one of those people who are curious to know more about the unique historical names, you’ll find our list of Breton baby boys’ and girls’ names handy. Take a look!
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Richarzh |  |  Boy | Brave ruler; Breton form of Richard |
| Ronan | | Boy | Little seal; A pledge; An oath |
| Ronec | | Boy | He who is from royal and noble lineage |
| Roparzh | | Boy | Bright fame; Breton form of Robert |
| Rozenn | |  Girl | Rose |
| Samzun | | Boy | Sun child; Little sun |
| Soizic | | Girl | One who belongs to the people of the Franks |
| Solenn | | Girl | Sunshine |
| Tanet | | Boy | Fire |
| Tanguy | | Boy | A warrior of fire |
| Tifenn | | Girl | Manifestation of God |
| Venou | | Boy | Breton form of Neven; Worker of the saint's follower |
| Winoc | | Boy | A variant of Gwenneg; White; Fair |
| Yanick | | Boy | A form of John; Yahweh is gracious |
| Yann | | Boy | Yahweh is gracious |
| Yezekael | | Boy | Lord; Prince |
| Youenn | | Boy | Little archer |
| Yuna | | Girl | Gentleness; Friendliness |
You have the choice to give your child a name that carries deep meaning, connects to tradition, holds historical significance, or represents a sense of freedom. However, selecting a name that will suit your baby as they grow from infancy to adulthood is important. Breton baby names can help distinguish individuals in a globally connected world, making them unique and highlighting their special cultural heritage. These names play an important role in keeping traditions alive and honoring the region’s distinct identity.
Infographic: Traditional And Meaningful Breton Baby Names
Parents who want to honor their Breton heritage may consider Breton names for their children. These names have a rich heritage and culture and help children feel more connected to their roots. We curated a list of wonderful Breton baby names for your precious little one, and you can find them in this infographic.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are some Breton baby names that are easy to spell?
Some Breton names that may be easier to spell for non-native speakers include Ael or Aela, meaning ‘rock’ or ‘angel;’ Enora, meaning ‘honor;’ Gwen, representing ‘white’ or ‘holy;’ Iven, meaning ‘little archer’ and Yuna, meaning ‘lamb’ or ‘the archer.’
2. What are some Breton baby names that have historical significance?
Some Breton baby names with historical significance include names such as Anna, the Greek and Latin Old Testament version of Channah or Hannah. This name can be translated to mean ‘favor’ or ‘grace’ and is associated with Saint Anna, mother of Mary, and was also used by numerous Russian Royals. Corentin is another such Breton name that possesses historical significance. This name can be translated to mean ‘hurricane’ or ‘storm,’ and it was borne by a 5th-century bishop of Quimper in Brittany.
References
- Leo Carruthers; (2014); What Makes Breton Lays’ Breton’? Bretons
Britons and Celtic ‘Otherness’ in Medieval Romance.
