Welsh Baby Names
Explore 290 welsh names, each with its own meaning, history, and pronunciation. Find one that carries the stories you want your child to grow up with.
Welsh names are among the most phonetically consistent in Europe. Once the alphabet is learned, almost every Welsh name reads exactly as it is spelt. The Welsh naming tradition draws on bardic poetry, Christian saints, and an unbroken Celtic lineage.
A short history
Welsh naming traces to the Brythonic roots of the language and developed through centuries of bardic literature (the Mabinogion, the Welsh Triads) and a dense tradition of saints. The 20th century saw a Welsh-language revival that brought names like Rhys, Bethan, and Cerys back into international use.
Naming traditions
Welsh surnames historically were patronymic: Dafydd ap Rhys meant 'Dafydd, son of Rhys', which eventually became Prys and Price. This is why many Welsh surnames are first-name-like (Jones, Davis, Evans). The convention was formalised under Tudor pressure to adopt fixed surnames, but the patronymic logic still shows in the language.
Sound and style
Welsh has a handful of double-letter consonants that work as single sounds: ll (voiceless l), ff (f), dd (voiced th), rh (aspirated r), ch (throaty ch). Once these five are in your ear, Welsh names become as easy to read as Italian.
Frequently asked
Is Welsh hard to pronounce?
Welsh is actually one of the most consistent languages in Europe once you know the alphabet. The double letters 'll', 'dd', 'ff', and 'rh' each have a single fixed sound. There are no silent letters.
Berwyn
“White summit”
Berwyn derives from the Welsh 'berw', meaning boiling or bubbling, combined with 'gwyn', meaning white or blessed. The name is shared with the Berwyn Mountains in north-east Wales, a dramatic upland range. As a personal name it evokes the rugged, pure landscape of the Welsh highlands.
Bethan
“God is my oath”
Bethan is a Welsh diminutive of Elizabeth, carrying the meaning 'God is my oath' from the Hebrew 'Elisheva'. It has become an independent name in its own right, cherished for its warm, approachable quality and distinctly Welsh character. The name strikes a lovely balance between familiarity and cultural distinctiveness.
Beti
“Pledged to God”
Beti is the traditional Welsh pet form of the name Bethan, itself a Welsh short form of Elizabeth. The name Elizabeth comes from the Hebrew 'Elisheba', meaning my God is an oath or pledged to God. In Wales, Beti has long functioned as a friendly, familiar form used in everyday speech and in literature, carrying the same warmth as 'Betty' in English but with a distinctly Welsh character. It is a name that feels both intimate and grounded, evoking the close-knit communities and lilting speech of Welsh culture.
Bleddri
“Wolf-king”
Bleddri is formed from the Welsh elements 'blaidd' (wolf) and 'ri' (king), combining two of the most powerful symbols in Celtic tradition into a single striking name. The wolf in Welsh culture represented fierce loyalty, sharp instinct, and untamed strength, while 'ri' elevated those qualities to a regal level. Together they create a name that is both primal and majestic, full of ancient authority.
Bleddyn
“Wolf cub”
Bleddyn derives from the Welsh word 'blaidd' meaning wolf, combined with a diminutive suffix, giving the affectionate sense of wolf cub or little wolf. In Welsh tradition the wolf was a symbol of fierce loyalty and warrior strength. The name was borne by Bleddyn ap Cynfyn, an 11th-century king of Gwynedd and Powys who is celebrated in Welsh poetry. It balances ferocity with tenderness, the cub suggesting potential rather than threat.
Blodwen
“White flower”
Blodwen is composed of two Welsh elements: blodyn, meaning flower, and gwen, meaning white, fair, or blessed. Together the name evokes a white blossom, pure and delicate. It is a distinctly Welsh name, rarely found outside Wales, which gives it a strong sense of place and cultural identity. Its floral meaning places it among a tradition of Welsh nature names that draw on the landscape and natural world.
Brangwyn
“White raven”
Brangwyn is a Welsh name composed of 'bran', meaning raven, and 'gwyn', meaning white, blessed, or fair. The combination is paradoxical in nature, since ravens are intensely black birds, making a white raven a creature of the extraordinary or supernatural. In Celtic tradition, the raven was associated with prophecy, wisdom, and the otherworld. The addition of 'gwyn', which also carries a connotation of holiness or blessedness in Welsh, elevates the name to suggest something set apart from the ordinary.
Branwen
“Beautiful raven”
Branwen comes from the Welsh elements bran, meaning "raven," and gwen, meaning "white, fair, or beautiful." In the Second Branch of the Mabinogion, Branwen ferch Llyr is a tragic heroine whose story intertwines love, war, and sacrifice. The name carries a striking blend of darkness and beauty that has captivated parents for centuries.
Brengain
“Fair bosom”
Brengain is a name from Arthurian and Celtic legend, carried by the devoted handmaid of Isolde in the Tristan and Isolde tradition. The name's etymology is debated, with some scholars linking elements to Welsh words suggesting brightness or fairness. It is a rare literary name steeped in the romance and tragedy of medieval Celtic storytelling.
Briafael
“Princely chief”
Briafael is a compound Welsh name carrying the meaning of a noble or princely leader, combining elements that suggest both royal descent and authority over others. It belongs to the class of early Welsh names given to sons of chieftains and princes, names intended to project lineage and future leadership. The name has a resonant, archaic beauty that places it firmly in the landscape of early medieval Wales.
Briallen
“Primrose”
Briallen is the Welsh word for primrose, the pale yellow spring flower that is among the first to bloom in the Welsh countryside after winter. As a given name it captures the freshness of early spring, the delicacy of wildflowers, and the particular beauty of the Welsh landscape. It is part of a tradition of Welsh botanical names that celebrate the natural world.
Brychan
“Speckled, freckled”
Brychan comes from the Welsh brych, meaning speckled or freckled, with the diminutive or personal suffix -an. The name is most famously associated with Brychan Brycheiniog, a semi-legendary fifth-century king whose realm gave its name to the modern county of Brecon (Brycheiniog) in Wales. He was said to have fathered many saintly children who became pillars of early Welsh Christianity.
Brynmor
“Great hill”
Brynmor is a traditional Welsh place-name turned given name, composed of bryn, meaning hill, and mawr, meaning great or large. Together they form a vivid geographical image: a great hill rising from the Welsh landscape. The name appears in several Welsh place names and has been used as a personal name for centuries in Wales. It evokes the rugged beauty of the Welsh uplands and carries the distinctive sound and spelling patterns of the Welsh language.
Cadell
“Battle, spirit”
Cadell derives from the Old Welsh element cad, meaning battle, and was frequently borne by medieval Welsh princes and warriors. The name suggests not mere aggression but the courage and spirit required to face great challenges. It embodies the fierce pride and resilience that characterised the Welsh kingdoms of the early Middle Ages.
Cadfael
“Battle prince”
Cadfael is a Welsh name composed of two elements: 'cad', meaning battle, and 'mael', meaning prince or chieftain. The full sense is therefore battle prince, a name that captures the warrior nobility of early Welsh culture. The name is ancient, appearing in Welsh chronicles, and was borne by a sixth-century Welsh saint. In the twentieth century it gained wide recognition through Ellis Peters' beloved series of medieval mystery novels featuring the Benedictine monk Brother Cadfael.
Cadoc
“Battle, glory in combat”
Cadoc is an ancient Welsh name derived from the Brythonic element 'cad', meaning battle. It was borne by one of the most important early Welsh saints, giving it both martial and spiritual resonance. The name suggests strength of character, courage, and a willingness to stand firm. Cadoc is a name that feels rooted in the landscape and history of Wales itself.
Cadwaladr
“Battle leader”
Cadwaladr is composed of the Old Welsh elements cad, meaning battle, and gwaladr, meaning leader or ruler. The name therefore means battle leader or one who leads in war, a fitting title for the heroic tradition of early Welsh culture. It was borne by Cadwaladr ap Cadwallon, a seventh-century King of Gwynedd who became a legendary figure in Welsh tradition, with prophecies foretelling his return to lead the Britons. The name is among the most historically rooted Welsh names and carries the full weight of early medieval Welsh history.
Cadwgan
“Battle glory”
Cadwgan is composed of the Old Welsh elements 'cad', meaning battle, and 'gwogawn', meaning glory or renown. Together they convey the ideal of a warrior celebrated for his deeds in combat, a name fitting for the medieval Welsh princes who bore it. It is among the most authentically Welsh of all historic given names.
Cai
“Rejoice”
Cai is a Welsh name often interpreted as meaning 'rejoice,' though its roots may also connect to the Latin name Caius. It is a name of joyful simplicity with deep ties to Arthurian legend.
Caradoc
“Beloved, amiable”
Caradoc is a Welsh name meaning 'beloved' or 'amiable', derived from the ancient Brythonic word 'car' meaning love. It was borne by the legendary British chieftain Caractacus, who led a fierce resistance against Roman invasion, making it a name that embodies both tenderness and courage.
Carwyn
“Blessed love”
Carwyn is a Welsh name formed from 'car' (love) and 'gwyn' (white, blessed, fair). It combines two of the most cherished elements in the Welsh naming tradition, creating a name of exceptional warmth and beauty. The name is perhaps best known through Carwyn James, the legendary rugby coach whose tactical brilliance remains a source of national pride.
Carys
“Love”
Carys means 'love,' derived from the Welsh word 'caru.' It is a modern Welsh coinage that captures one of the most universal human emotions in a name of disarming simplicity and warmth.
Catrin
“Pure”
Catrin is the Welsh form of Catherine, derived from the Greek 'katharos' meaning pure or clean. It carries the same elegant meaning as its international variants but with a distinctly Welsh character and spelling. Catrin of Berain, the sixteenth-century noblewoman known as the Mother of Wales, gave the name particular historical resonance.
Ceinwen
“Beautiful gems”
Ceinwen is a lyrical Welsh name meaning "beautiful gems" or "fair and blessed." It combines the Welsh elements "cain," meaning beautiful or fair, and "gwen," meaning white, blessed, or holy. The name evokes images of precious stones and radiant beauty, carrying a distinctly poetic quality that is characteristic of Welsh naming traditions.
Celyn
“Holly”
Celyn is a Welsh name meaning holly, taken directly from the Welsh word for the plant. Holly holds deep significance in Celtic tradition as a symbol of protection, eternal life, and resilience through the darkest months. The name has a fresh, natural quality that connects the bearer to the Welsh landscape and its ancient traditions, while its clean, modern sound appeals to contemporary parents seeking something distinctive yet grounded.
Ceri
“Love, beloved”
Ceri is believed to derive from the Welsh verb caru meaning to love, giving the name a warm, affectionate core meaning of beloved or loved one. An alternative derivation links it to the River Ceri in Powys, making it a river name in the tradition of Celtic place-name-derived personal names. Either origin gives Ceri a quietly poetic character that has made it a favourite across Wales for decades.
Ceridwen
“Fair poetry”
Ceridwen is one of the great names of Welsh mythology, borne by the enchantress and goddess associated with wisdom, transformation, and poetic inspiration. The name is traditionally interpreted as combining 'cerdd', meaning poetry or song, with 'gwen' or 'ben', meaning fair or blessed. In the mythological tradition, Ceridwen brewed a cauldron of inspiration and wisdom, and her son Taliesin became the greatest poet of the age after accidentally consuming three drops of the potion. She is a figure of immense power: mother, enchantress, and keeper of sacred knowledge.
Cerys
“Love”
Cerys is a Welsh name meaning 'love,' derived from the Welsh word 'caru,' to love. It is a name of tender simplicity and deep warmth, embodying one of the most universal and cherished human emotions in a form that is distinctly and beautifully Welsh.
Cigfa
“Place of the butcher”
Cigfa is a name from medieval Welsh literature, borne by a character in the Third Branch of the Mabinogi, one of the great prose tales of medieval Wales. She is the wife of Pryderi, one of the central heroes of the Mabinogion. The name's etymology is debated, but it is commonly linked to the Welsh cig, meaning meat or flesh, suggesting a connection to a place associated with a butcher or a meat market. Despite its unusual etymological roots, Cigfa has a distinctive, melodic Welsh sound and a genuine literary pedigree reaching back to the 11th century.
Cledwyn
“Rough and blessed”
Cledwyn is a Welsh name composed of two elements: 'cledd' or 'cled', meaning rough, harsh, or hard, and 'gwyn', meaning white, blessed, or holy. Together they create a name suggesting something along the lines of hard but blessed or one who is both rugged and pure. The tension between harshness and holiness gives the name an interesting depth. It is also the name of a river in Denbighshire, reinforcing its connection to the Welsh landscape.
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