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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Hiraeth |  |  Unisex | Longing; Nostalgia for a place or time that may not exist anymore |
| Hlink | |  Boy | From the Bank |
| Hlithtun | | Boy | From the Hillside Town |
| Hlynn | |  Girl | Waterfall |
| Hunydd | | Girl | A woman who is mentioned in poetry |
| Hywel | | Boy | Eminent; Conspicuous; A variant of the name Howell |
| Ianto | | Unisex | Gift of God |
| Idris | | Unisex | Ardent lord |
| Iestyn | | Unisex | Welsh version of Justin |
| Ifor | | Boy | Archer; Bow warrior |
| Iri | | Unisex | Strong and noble |
| Isla | | Girl | Island |
| Isolde | | Girl | Ice ruler |
| Jabrion | | Boy | One who has a bow made of yew wood |
| Jack | | Boy | God is gracious |
| Jacob | | Boy | May God protect; Holder of the heel; Supplanter |
| Jareth | | Boy | A gentle one |
| Jayvyn | | Unisex | Light spirit |
| Jenalee | | Girl | Fair-complexioned and pretty |
| Jenalyn | | Girl | Mild and gentle person |
| Jeneth | | Girl | White, fair, blessed, holy, smooth, soft; Variant of Jennifer |
| Jenibelle | | Girl | Well-mannered with tender care |
| Jenifer | | Girl | White, fair, blessed, holy, smooth, soft; Variant of Jennifer |
| Jeniffer | | Girl | Beautiful and fair girl |
| Jenita | | Girl | Beautiful, mild, and forgiving |
| Jenlyns | | Girl | White, fair, smooth skin |
| Jennalee | | Girl | Nice, pleasant, and gorgeous person |
| Jennalyn | | Girl | Just, upright, and easy-going |
| Jenne | | Girl | Good and nice individual |
| Jennea | | Girl | Very good person |
| Jennee | | Girl | White, fair, blessed, holy, smooth, soft; Variant of Jennifer |
| Jennefer | | Girl | Pretty and charming girl |
| Jenneigh | | Girl | Pretty white-skinned lady |
| Jenney | | Girl | Good, attractive, and nice-looking |
| Jennifar | | Girl | Fair or white person |
| Jennifer | | Girl | Fair; White; Smooth |
| Jenniffer | | Girl | Beautiful and fair girl |
| Jennika | | Girl | Soft, loving, and caring person |
| Jennipher | | Girl | One who is stunning and kindful |
| Jenny | | Unisex | White phantom |
| Jennyfer | | Girl | Beautiful and easy-going individual |
| Jenyfer | | Girl | Spiritual, pure, mild, and gentle person |
| Jestina | | Girl | Feminine form of Justin; Rightful |
| Jeston | | Boy | Just and upright individual |
| Kai | | Boy | Sea; Keeper of the keys; Shell; Pier |
| Kaleiah | | Unisex | Unique and powerful |
| Kambry | | Unisex | Unique, strong, and feminine |
| Kassy | | Unisex | Pure; Shining |
| Kenia | | Girl | White mountain |
| Kenn | | Boy | The water is clear |
| Kennan | | Boy | Little Ken; The clear water |
| Kenwrec | | Boy | A Royal leader of a clan or a group |
| Kerin | | Girl | Dark-haired; Pure |
| Kerys | | Unisex | Love |
| Keyna | | Girl | Precious stone; Jewel |
| Kieve | | unisex | A mythical name |
| Kilynn | | Unisex | Strong and resourceful |
| Kimble | | Boy | Warrior chief |
| Kimblyn | | Boy | Royal warrior |
| Kraig | | Boy | The name means Rock |
| Landric | | Boy | Strong ruler; Leader |
| Laronda | | Girl | Sharp spear |
| Lavaughan | | Unisex | Small; A little of something |
| Leo | | Boy | Lion |
| Lewallyn | | Boy | A leader; One who leads others |
| Lewyn | | Unisex | Like a lion |
| Linet | | Girl | A greatly admired person; An idol |
| Linette | | Girl | A woman who is an idol to many |
| Linnit | | Girl | A woman who many worship and idolize |
| Linniue | | Girl | An idolized woman |
| Lleucu | | Girl | A light that is cherished |
| Llewella | | Girl | One whose lion-like bravery shines bright |
| Llewellyn | | Boy | Leader; Lion-like |
| Llewelydd | | Boy | A leader with the bravery like a lion's |
| Llewelyn | | Boy | Leader or lion-like |
| Llewyn | | Boy | Like a lion |
| Lloyd | | Boy | Gray |
| Llwyd | | Boy | A gray haired man |
| Llygad | | Boy | A person with gaying hair |
| Llyn | | Girl | A woman who came from the lake |
| Llyr | | Boy | He came from the sea |
| Llywarch | | Boy | A leader of the horses |
| Llywelyn | | Boy | A person who projects a leader like image |
| Llywernog | | Boy | A place name from a town Llywernog in Wales |
| Locryn | | Boy | Cornish form of Locrinus; Name of a region in Southeastern Britain |
| Logan | | Boy | Little hollow |
| Lowri | | Girl | A Laurel; Distinction |
| Lowry | | Girl | One who is awarded for her victory and honor |
| Lowyn | | Unisex | Strength and protection |
| Luellyn | | Boy | One who is a Lion like leader |
| Lugh | | Boy | The shining one |
| Lughaidh | | Boy | A shining warrior |
| Lunette | | Girl | A shape of the Moon |
| Lyn | | Boy | Lake; Pretty |
| Lynelle | | Girl | Idol |
| Lyneth | | Girl | A beautiful one |
| Lynlea | | Girl | A beautiful lake |
| Lynnelle | | Girl | A beautiful lake |
| Mabli | | Girl | One who is admired and loved |
| Mabyn | | Girl | Young and youthful girl |
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.
