449 Welsh Baby Boy Names With Meanings

welsh-baby-boy-names-with-meanings

Welsh baby boy names have stood the test of time. These names are still used in many parts of the world today, not just in Wales. Welsh is a phonetic language with Celtic roots (1). It is commonly spoken by the people of Wales and some parts of Britain. The language can be broadly classified into four distinct periods—Primitive, Old, Middle, and Modern. These distinctions marked an evolution of the language that altered how alphabets were used, impacting the Welsh spellings and pronunciations. Welsh names are distinct because of their unique pronunciations. In the language, w and y are considered vowels, besides a, e, i, o, and u. The phonetic sounds of the alphabet also differ significantly, with w pronounced as oo, y pronounced as uh or ee depending on which syllable it is, and f pronounced as v. For instance, Dafydd would be pronounced David (1). Welsh names have a poetic beauty to them, but a little knowledge of the language is required to pronounce them correctly. Welsh people followed a patronymic naming system, meaning that the child inherits the given name or the father's first name as a last name or surname. Back in the day, the prefix ‘ab’ or ‘ap,’ meaning ‘son of,’ was inserted between the child’s given name and the patronymic name. However, with the introduction of the Act of Union in 1536, all official documents were required to be recorded in English. After this, the patronymic naming system started to dissipate (1). However, Welsh first names like Dylan, Rhys, and Owen are still quite popular among parents (2). According to data from the SSA, Dylan and Owen are well-known Welsh boy names in the US, standing at rank 41 and 18, respectively, as of 2022 (3) (4 ). We have listed a vast collection of such Welsh baby names for boys just for you. Keep scrolling!

NameGenderMeaning
heart image Charlie Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Free man; Army
heart image George Baby Boy Sign Boy Farmer; Earth worker
heart image Harry Baby Boy Sign Boy Ruler of the household
heart image Jack Baby Boy Sign Boy God is gracious
heart image Jacob Baby Boy Sign Boy May God protect; Holder of the heel; Supplanter
heart image Leo Baby Boy Sign Boy Lion
heart image Logan Baby Boy Sign Boy Little hollow
heart image Noah Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Rest
heart image Oliver Baby Boy Sign Boy Olive tree planter
heart image Theo Baby Boy Sign Boy Gift of God
heart image Aaiden Baby Boy Sign Boy Fiery or little fire
heart image Aberforth Baby Boy Sign Boy From the rivera in Gaelic
heart image Aeronwen Baby Boy Sign Boy The winner or victor of a battle
heart image Aeronwy Baby Boy Sign Boy The battle winner
heart image Aerowyn Baby Boy Sign Boy The victorious person from the battle
heart image Afon Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A river, a stream, or water
heart image Alanie Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Graceful, serene, peace-loving
heart image Alauna Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Noble or fair one
heart image Aled Baby Boy Sign Boy A Child; Offspring; A variant name of Aledwen
heart image Alun Baby Boy Sign Boy A stony, fair and handsome being who is in sync with harmony, nobility and peace
heart image Alwyn Baby Boy Sign Boy Wise friend
heart image Amael Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Healer, messenger, angelic
heart image Amren Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Bravery and strength
heart image Andras Baby Boy Sign Boy Male; Manly; Brave; Virility; A variant of name Andrea
heart image Andrielle Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Graceful and blessed
heart image Aneurin Baby Boy Sign Boy High Minded; A variation of name is Aneirin
heart image Anwyll Baby Boy Sign Boy Beloved, fortunate, blessed
heart image Anyon Baby Boy Sign Boy Anvil
heart image Ap Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Son; Son of
heart image Arawyn Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Magical; Nature-inspired; Independent
heart image Ardent Baby Boy Sign Boy To burn
heart image Ardyn Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Eager; Ardent
heart image Arianrhod Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Silver wheel; Wheel of the heavens
heart image Arthas Baby Boy Sign Boy Noble leader, strong ruler
heart image Arthyen Baby Boy Sign Boy Cornish form of the Welsh name Arthen; Bear born
heart image Arvel Baby Boy Sign Boy Wept over; A variant of the name Arvel
heart image Auryn Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A powerful person; Golden haired individual
heart image Avyn Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Strength and independence
heart image Awdrie Baby Boy Sign Boy Everlasting inspiration
heart image Baines Baby Boy Sign Boy The son of Einws
heart image Barwyn Baby Boy Sign Boy A white mound
heart image Berwyn Baby Boy Sign Boy White mound; Friend of the harvest; A variant of Berwin
heart image Bevan Baby Boy Sign Boy Son of Evan
heart image Beynon Baby Boy Sign Boy Son of Eynon
heart image Blen Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Enlightenment; To shine brightly
heart image Blevine Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A child who is like a wolf cub
heart image Bowen Baby Boy Sign Boy Son of Owen; Noble; Victorious
heart image Bowyn Unisex Baby Sign Unisex White-haired warrior
heart image Brac Baby Boy Sign Boy free
heart image Bran Baby Boy Sign Boy A raven; A black bird that resembles a crow
heart image Brax Baby Boy Sign Boy Strong; Bold; Fierce
heart image Brecon Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Underlined strength; Charismatic leader
heart image Breunor Baby Boy Sign Boy Brown man
heart image Brylin Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Strong; Courageous; Intelligent
heart image Brynlee Baby Boy Sign Boy Hill; Mound; Burned clearing
heart image Brynley Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Strong, courageous, noble
heart image Brynmor Baby Boy Sign Boy From the great hill
heart image Brynn Baby Boy Sign Boy Hill; Mound; Bright; Fair-haired; Champion
heart image Brynne Baby Boy Sign Boy He who is from the hill
heart image Brynner Baby Boy Sign Boy A man who lives in the hill
heart image Brynnlee Baby Boy Sign Boy One who comes from the land of the hills
heart image Brynnley Baby Boy Sign Boy One from the hil lands
heart image Cadan Baby Boy Sign Boy A variant of Cadell and Kaden; Battle; Companion
heart image Cade Baby Boy Sign Boy Spirit of the battle; Sturdy; Rhythm
heart image Cadel Baby Boy Sign Boy Great battle
heart image Cadell Baby Boy Sign Boy Battle spirit
heart image Cadfael Baby Boy Sign Boy Battle prince
heart image Cadfan Baby Boy Sign Boy Battle peak.
heart image Cadmael Baby Boy Sign Boy War chieftain
heart image Cadmon Baby Boy Sign Boy Battle warrior
heart image Cadoc Baby Boy Sign Boy He who fights the battles
heart image Cadog Baby Boy Sign Boy To be in the battle
heart image Cadogan Baby Boy Sign Boy Finds honor in battle
heart image Cadwal Baby Boy Sign Boy Battle commander
heart image Cadwalader Baby Boy Sign Boy Leads into battle
heart image Cadwaladr Baby Boy Sign Boy Surname: Battle leader
heart image Cadwallader Baby Boy Sign Boy Leads to battle
heart image Cadwgan Baby Boy Sign Boy Glorious in battle
heart image Cadwgon Baby Boy Sign Boy Has glory in battle
heart image Cadwyn Baby Boy Sign Boy Chained individual
heart image Caian Baby Boy Sign Boy Rejoice
heart image Caio Baby Boy Sign Boy Rejoice; Joyful
heart image Camea Baby Boy Sign Boy His nose is crooked
heart image Carantoc Baby Boy Sign Boy A man of many virtues
heart image Carantorivs Baby Boy Sign Boy He has many virtues
heart image Cariad Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A darling and beloved person
heart image Caron Baby Boy Sign Boy One who loves to love
heart image Caronie Baby Boy Sign Boy One who loves
heart image Caroun Baby Boy Sign Boy Born to love
heart image Caru Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A lovely person
heart image Carwyn Baby Boy Sign Boy A blessed love
heart image Carys Baby Boy Sign Boy To love; Beloved; God's grace
heart image Cass Baby Boy Sign Boy A curly haired person
heart image Ceiriog Baby Boy Sign Boy Name of a river
heart image Ceiro Baby Boy Sign Boy The loved one
heart image Cellan Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Elated; Joyous
heart image Celt Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A musical and exotic name
heart image Celtic Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Musical
heart image Celyn Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Holly
heart image Ceolwald Baby Boy Sign Boy King; Beloved
1 2 3 5

Welsh baby boy names are relevant worldwide today despite their ancient roots. They are sometimes even preferred over conventional English names because of the phonetic nature of the Welsh language. Welsh names possess a unique beauty when it comes to spelling and pronunciation. They may be challenging to grasp initially, but once you get the hang of it, they roll off the tongue. Thus, by naming your son in Welsh, you would be gifting him a memorable name and a legacy that goes back centuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Welsh name means victory?

Gwilym, a variant of William, is one masculine Welsh name that means victory.

2. What is the meaning of the name Bryn in Welsh?

Bryn is a unisex Welsh name that means 'hill' or 'mound.' It is more commonly seen as a boy's name.

3. What is the origin of the Welsh name Rhys?

Rhys, a masculine Welsh name, is derived from the Old Welsh 'Ris,' which means 'enthusiasm' or 'ardor.'

4. What is the significance of family names in Welsh culture, and what is the traditional process of naming a Welsh baby boy?

Welsh culture has unique surnames because they can be derived from descriptive names or nicknames, occupational background, and location. It also follows a patronymic naming system. Sons usually have an 'ab' or 'ap' between their given name and their father's to signify 'son of.' For example, David ab Owen means David' son' of Owen. As for girls, 'ferch,' or 'verch,' is usually abbreviated to 'vch,' and it signifies 'daughter of.' (5)

5. What is the significance of the name Dylan in Welsh culture, and how does it relate to Welsh folklore?

The name Dylan is derived from two Welsh elements: 'dy,' which means 'toward,' and 'llanw,' which means 'tide' or 'flow.' Dylan has strong connections to Welsh folklore because Dylan ail Don is a character in the Welsh mythic Mabinogion tales. He is assumed to be a Welsh sea god because he morphed into a sea creature during his baptism.

Infographic: Wonderful Welsh Baby Boy Names With Meanings

The Welsh language has its roots in the Celtic languages and has undergone significant evolution. Welsh baby names are phonetically pleasing to the ears and are distinctive, giving the name's bearer a unique identity. The infographic below presents Welsh baby boy names along with their meanings.

breathtaking welsh baby names with meanings (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. What Are Welsh Names About?
    https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/welsh-names
  2. Welsh Names for Children.
    https://www.gov.wales/cymraeg-for-kids/welsh-names-for-children
  3. Popularity of name Dylan.
    https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
  4. Wales Personal Names
    https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Wales_Personal_Names
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