Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
Selecting an ideal baby name may not be easy since you must pick a name that doesn’t just sound rhythmic and beautiful but also carries profound meanings and stands the test of time, much like Welsh baby names. With the red dragon on the national flag and majestic castles on the coastline, Wales has attracted a newfound interest in recent years, thanks to its baby names. A small country in the UK and the homeland of Arthurian legends, Welsh baby names originate in the Celtic language, which has evolved to a great extent over the centuries. Welsh heritage boasts names of ancient lineage, stretching back to thousands of years. The mother tongue of Wales may sound a bit harsh and disjointed to the ears, but the names are poetic and roll down the tongue smoothly. In ancient times, Welsh people followed a patronymic naming system. Patronymics is the process of giving the child his father’s given or forename as the first name. Hence, the family name changed in successive generations. A son's identity was tied to their father's name, adorned with "ap" or "ab." This tradition for daughters involved adding "ferch" or "verch," denoting their paternal lineage. At the turn of the 15th century, Welsh families began adopting permanent surnames, and the patronymic naming pattern ended. But the range of Welsh surnames is quite small, primarily due to the reduction in baptismal names after the Protestant Reformation. Parents are free to bestow any desired name or surname upon their children, with the father’s surname more commonly used than the mother’s. However, the registrar's authority is limited to rejecting names deemed unlawful, such as those with racist connotations.
Our list provides extensive Welsh name options, guiding you with the gender and meaning of each name. Ranging from timeless classics to undiscovered modern treasures, we're here to assist in discovering an ideal name for your child.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Eirlys |  |  Girl | A unique and beautiful snowdrop |
| Eirwen | | Girl | One who is snow white and is blessed |
| Eirwyn | | Girl | The one who is white as snow |
| Eiry | | Girl | Fair person who is bright as snow |
| Elain | | Girl | The one who has a peculiar case |
| Elen | | Girl | One who has done constructions |
| Eleri | | Girl | A chief; Very important person |
| Elgan | |  Boy | One who is high minded and full of compassion |
| Elian | |  Unisex | God is my strength; God has answered |
| Eliot | | Boy | Yahweh is my God |
| Ella | | Girl | Beautiful light; Goddess |
| Elliw | | Girl | Name of a color; Over-sensitive nature |
| Eluned | | Girl | Idol, image or saint |
| Elwy | | Boy | Gain; Benefit |
| Elwyn | | Boy | Wise old friend |
| Elwynn | | Boy | A wise friend; Magical; Fair; White being |
| Elyan | | Unisex | God is my oak tree |
| Emily | | Girl | Hardworking; Dilligent; Industrious person |
| Emlen | | Boy | Someone who is eager; Industrious |
| Emlyn | | Boy | One who is eager for excellence; highly industrious |
| Emm | | Girl | The whole; Universe |
| Emmalene | | Unisex | Feminine, determined, and gentle |
| Emris | | Unisex | Unique and charismatic |
| Emryn | | Unisex | Immortal one; Eternal |
| Emrys | | Boy | Immortal |
| Emyr | | Boy | A worthy ruler |
| Eneas | | Boy | Praise |
| Enedina | | Girl | Soul; Life |
| Enfys | | Girl | Rainbow |
| Enit | | Girl | Fair; Woodlark |
| Enyd | | Girl | Spirit; Soul; Life |
| Erbin | | Boy | Legendary son of Cushtenhin |
| Erchambaut | | Boy | Loved by all |
| Eriana | | Girl | Welsh word for silver |
| Erianna | | Girl | Silver |
| Eryl | | Girl | A place where people look for knowledge |
| Eseld | | Girl | Beautiful; One who rules over the ice |
| Euddogwy | | Boy | A very ancient saint pilgrim |
| Eudeat | | Boy | A very ancient saint pilgrim |
| Eudel | | Boy | From the Yew tree valley |
| Eudelme | | Boy | A grove of Yew trees |
| Eutigirn | | Boy | One who is fond of his king |
| Evan | | Boy | God is gracious; Youth |
| Evans | | Boy | God is gracious |
| Everwyn | | Boy | He who is a friend of the sea |
| Evyn | | Unisex | Young warrior |
| Falen | | Unisex | Leader |
| Feyre | | Girl | Magical; Enchanted |
| Ffion | | Boy | Foxglove |
| Fflur | | Girl | A welsh verion of flora, meaning like a flower |
| Fharly | | Girl | One from the here meadow |
| Fhazaar | | Girl | One who is like a nightingale |
| Fili | | Unisex | Loved one; Beloved |
| Freya | | Girl | Noble woman |
| Gaenor | | Girl | One who is pure, honest, and easy-going |
| Gaerwn | | Boy | White-colored fortress |
| Ganora | | Boy | A swelling white wave |
| Gareth | | Unisex | Valor |
| Garmon | | Boy | Overcomer; Winner |
| Garrath | | Boy | Kind person; One who can handle the spear strongly |
| Gavin | | Unisex | White hawk; Son of the smith |
| Gavyn | | Unisex | White falcon |
| Gawain | | Boy | Fair enemy in the battle field |
| Gawin | | Boy | Resembles as a falcon which is white in color |
| Gayana | | Girl | Singing |
| Genavee | | Girl | Snowy waves in the sea or ocean |
| Genifer | | Girl | One who has white or pale colored hair |
| Geniffer | | Girl | The girl who is fair and nice looking |
| Genneigh | | Girl | The sea waves of white color |
| Genney | | Girl | Refers to the hard waves in the sea which reflects in white color |
| Genny | | Girl | The one who is pure; Unpolluted; Polite and fair |
| Gennye | | Girl | The virgin girl; Pure |
| Geny | | Girl | Short form of Jennifer; The sea waves which shines in white color |
| George | | Boy | Farmer; Earth worker |
| Geraint | | Boy | One of the names of the rulers |
| Gereint | | Boy | An old spear holder |
| Gerens | | Boy | The one who is boldly fighting with spear |
| Gerren | | Boy | Gerren is the Cornish equivalent of Geraint; Old |
| Gerwyn | | Boy | Impartial love; Neutral love |
| Gethin | | Boy | The person who has black or gloomy skin |
| Gethrude | | Boy | A dusky or dark skinned person |
| Gethwine | | Unisex | A dusky friend or a dark skinned friend |
| Glaedwine | | Girl | Country |
| Glain | | Girl | Jewel |
| Gleinguid | | Boy | The one who comes from the valley |
| Glema | | Girl | Glen; Valley |
| Glenda | | Girl | Good; Valley |
| Glenis | | Girl | Fair; Good; Holy |
| Glenys | | Girl | Fair; Good. |
| Glinda | | Girl | Good; Fair woman |
| Glynda | | Girl | Fair; Beautiful; Good |
| Glyndwr | | Boy | Valley water |
| Glynis | | Girl | One who comes from the valley |
| Glywys | | Boy | The king from the valley |
| Gower | | Boy | A person who is pure, wise and holy |
| Griff | | Boy | Lord who has a very strong grip on everything which is around him |
| Griffen | | Boy | Lord who has a very strong grip on everything which is around him |
| Griffin | | Boy | Strong Lord; Prince |
| Griffith | | Boy | Lord who has a very strong grip on everything which is around him |
| Griffri | | Boy | The Lord who has a very strong grip on everything around him |
Welsh baby names reflect distinct traits and the undeniable charm of Wales' language and culture. Over time, English neighbors' influence has led to anglicized variations, streamlining pronunciation or spelling. These names testify to parents' wish to instill confidence in their child’s identity and connect them to their roots. You may pick a name aligned with your taste, to present your child with a timeless name representing the class and legacy of Welsh history and tradition.
Infographic: Wonderful Welsh Baby Names For Your Little Star
Wales is a land of rich history, mythology, and ancient legends. Names with Welsh heritage have profound meaning, and their distinct sound and spelling ensure it's a memorable choice, giving a unique identity to the bearer. Our infographic presents traditional and contemporary Welsh-origin names, so go ahead and pick a suitable one for your cherished little one.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a traditional Welsh name?
There are several traditional names in Welsh culture for both boys and girls. Dylan (meaning son of the sea), Bedwyr (meaning Legendary son of Pedrawd), Cadwgan (battle glory), and Emrys (meaning immortal) are some traditional boy names. Some traditional feminine names include Angharad (meaning much loved), Ceridwen (meaning blessed poetry), Rhiannon (meaning great queen), and Gwendolen (meaning blessed ring).
2. Which Welsh name means grace?
Carys is a feminine Welsh name that means ‘grace.’ There are several Welsh names that mean the grace of God, including Sianna, Siana, Siandrah, and Evan.
3. Which Welsh name means Lily?
Lily is a common floral name for girls, and the Welsh version is spelled as Lili.
4. What are some Welsh baby names that are difficult to pronounce for non-native speakers?
Welsh names can be difficult to pronounce for non-native speakers because it is a phonetic language. They include Blodeuwedd meaning ‘flower face,’ Creiddylad meaning ‘jewel of the sea,’ Gwawrddydd meaning dawn, Myfanwy meaning ‘my fine’ or ‘rare one,’ Siwan, which is the Welsh form of Joan, Cynddelw meaning ‘high’ or ‘exalted,’ Llefelys meaning ‘sweet voice,’ and Ynyr which is the Welsh form of the name Honorius.
5. What are some Welsh baby names that have a connection to Welsh mythology or folklore?
Arawn is a masculine name with connections to Welsh mythology. It is the name of the Mythical king of the Underworld. Bedwyr is a variation of the Bedivere and is found in the Arthurian legends; he was one of the original companions of King Arthur. Gwenhwyfar is the Welsh form of the name Guinevere, who was the beautiful wife of King Arthur from the Arthurian legend.
