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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Price |  |  Boy | Son of the ardent one |
| Prvce | | Boy | An enthusiasm-filled person; Son of Rhys |
| Pryce | | Boy | Son of the ardent one |
| Pryderi | | Boy | Caretaker |
| Pwyll | | Boy | A male name from the Welsh Mythology, King Pwyll |
| Raistlin | |  Unisex | Mysterious and powerful |
| Reanan | |  Girl | Great queen; A variation of the name Rhiannon |
| Reanna | | Girl | Counsel; Advice; Great Queen |
| Reanne | | Girl | A woman who makes a great Queen |
| Reece | | Boy | Enthusiasm |
| Rees | | Boy | A Boy with a fiery personality |
| Reese | | Girl | Enthusiasm; Ardor |
| Revelyn | | Unisex | Variant of Revelin |
| Rhain | | Boy | A spear |
| Rhan | | Unisex | An individual who is strong and independent |
| Rheana | | Girl | One who is a grand queen |
| Rhedyn | | Girl | Plant; Fern |
| Rheinallt | | Boy | A ruling advice |
| Rheon | | Unisex | Ruler or mighty king |
| Rhiagad | | Boy | A great, respected King |
| Rhiain | | Girl | A young girl; A maiden |
| Rhian | | Girl | A woman who makes a great Queen |
| Rhiane | | Girl | One who is an outstanding Queen |
| Rhianu | | Girl | Maiden; Fair Maiden; A variant of the name Rhian |
| Rhianwen | | Girl | A beautiful, comely maiden |
| Rhianydd | | Girl | Maiden; Fair Maiden; A variant of Rhian |
| Rhiryd | | Boy | A repulsive, repelling ruler |
| Rhiwallon | | Boy | The one who is the most kingly of them all |
| Rhona | | Girl | Fame; Friend; Spear; Pike; White; Fair; Blessed; Holy; Fair haired |
| Rhonwen | | Girl | A fair, slender, slim woman |
| Rhoswen | | Girl | A blessed, beautiful, pure rose |
| Rhosyn | | Girl | Rose |
| Rhun | | Boy | Grand; Legendary son of Beli |
| Rhy | | Unisex | A run; Flow |
| Rhyan | | Girl | A Queen who is like a Goddess |
| Rhydderch | | Boy | One who is of the reddish brown colour |
| Rhyder | | Unisex | Knight; Mounted warrior |
| Rhydian | | Boy | The crimson, reddish colour |
| Rhyhawd | | Boy | A person of crimson colour |
| Rhylee | | Girl | One who dwells near the field of rye |
| Rhylen | | Girl | One who lives on the rye fields |
| Rhynn | | Unisex | Round; Hill |
| Rhys | | Boy | Fierce warrior |
| Rhysand | | Boy | Enthusiasm |
| Rhyse | | Unisex | Enthusiasm; Ardor |
| Rhywallon | | Boy | One who is the ruler and a king of people |
| Riece | | Girl | An ethusiastic woman |
| Riguallaun | | Boy | The most kingly among all men |
| Rivia | | Unisex | Strength; Resilience; Protector |
| Robers | | Boy | A renowned and glowing man |
| Roberta | | Girl | A woman who is acclaimed and glowing |
| Romney | | Boy | Curving river; From the broad river |
| Ronda | | Girl | Good spear; Grand; A spelling variant of name Rhonda |
| Ronee | | Girl | A grand, big person |
| Rooney | | Boy | A Boy with red, ginger hair |
| Rowenna | | Girl | A fair and slender dame |
| Ryanna | | Girl | A magnificent queen |
| Ryn | | Boy | A person who is a ruler |
| Sayre | | Boy | Occupational name; Carpenter |
| Seisill | | Boy | He who is born sixth |
| Seith | | Boy | Seven |
| Selwynne | | Boy | One who is fair |
| Seren | | Girl | Star; Baby gazelle |
| Sian | | Girl | God's gracious gift |
| Siana | | Girl | One who is full of god's graciousness |
| Siandrah | | Girl | She who is full of the Lord's graciousness |
| Siania | | Girl | She who is gracious as God |
| Sianna | | Girl | She is like the grace of god |
| Siany | | Girl | She who is full of God's kindness |
| Sion | | Boy | One who is gracious like god |
| Sioned | | Girl | She who felt the kindness of the God |
| Siriol | | Girl | A woman of cheerful nature |
| Sirrah | | Unisex | Rising star or noble one |
| Sisely | | Girl | A woman who can't see |
| Siwan | | Girl | She who knows God's kindness |
| Sophia | | Girl | She who possesses great knowledge and wisdom |
| Sulien | | Unisex | Sun born |
| Sulwyn | | Boy | One fair as the Sun |
| Taffryn | | Boy | He who comes from a very tall hill |
| Talar | | Girl | From the headland in the field |
| Talfryn | | Boy | High hill |
| Taliesin | | Boy | Shining brow; Name of the 6th century poet and bard which later portrayed as a companion of King Arthur |
| Taliessin | | Girl | A shining forehead |
| Tallwch | | Boy | Name from legends |
| Tamaryn | | Unisex | Fruitful, radiant, beloved |
| Tangwystl | | Girl | One who pledged for peace |
| Tarant | | Boy | Thunder |
| Tarian | | Boy | One who carries a shield |
| Tarrant | | Boy | Thunder |
| Tarren | | Boy | He who is from the rigde |
| Tasciovanus | | Boy | Name of a historical king |
| Tayvia | | Girl | Welsh variation of Octavia |
| Tchad | | Boy | One who is a defender and a protector |
| Teagan | | Unisex | Philosopher; Poet; Descendant of Tadhgán |
| Tegan | | Unisex | Beautiful |
| Teghan | | Girl | A pretty fair girl |
| Teilo | | Boy | A man who is saint |
| Teleri | | Girl | Legendary daughter of Peul |
| Telyn | | Girl | A harp |
| Tesni | | Girl | Warmth of the Sun |
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.
