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Welsh baby names are treasures of the Celtic world, carrying the music, myth, and mountain-born spirit of one of Europe’s oldest living cultures. The Welsh language, or Cymraeg, is a Brythonic Celtic language that has been spoken continuously in Wales for over 1,500 years, and its names reflect this extraordinary depth of history. From the heroes of the Mabinogion (Wales’ medieval mythological tales) to names inspired by the rugged Welsh landscape, these names offer parents a connection to a living tradition that is both ancient and vibrantly modern. Welsh names are known for their distinctive letter combinations, particularly the letters “ll” and “dd,” which produce sounds not found in English.
📌 Key Takeaway: Welsh baby names derive from one of Europe’s oldest living languages and draw on mythology, nature, and Celtic tradition. Pronunciation follows Welsh language rules, where “ll” is a voiceless lateral fricative and “dd” sounds like the English “th.” Wales has seen a strong revival of traditional Welsh names as part of its thriving cultural renaissance. For more Celtic naming heritage, explore our guides to Scottish baby names and Irish baby names.
If you love nature-inspired Welsh names, see our full list of nature-inspired baby names and baby names meaning brave.
Boy Names
| Name | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Alun | Harmony; handsome | AH-lin |
| Aneurin | Noble; golden | ah-NYE-rin |
| Bedwyr | Birch hero (Sir Bedivere) | BED-weer |
| Bryn | Hill; mound | BRIN |
| Cadoc | Battle; war | KAD-ok |
| Caradoc | Beloved; amiable | kah-RAD-ok |
| Celyn | Holly | KEL-in |
| Dylan | Son of the sea; great tide | DUL-un |
| Emrys | Immortal (Welsh Ambrose/Merlin) | EM-ris |
| Geraint | Old man; elder | GEH-rynt |
| Gethin | Dark-skinned; dusky | GETH-in |
| Gwyn | White; fair; blessed | GWIN |
| Idris | Ardent lord; fiery leader | ID-ris |
| Ieuan | God is gracious (Welsh John) | YAY-an |
| Llywelyn | Leader; like a lion | hluh-WEL-in |
| Macsen | Greatest (Welsh Maximus) | MAK-sen |
| Owain | Well-born; young warrior | OH-wine |
| Rhodri | Circle; wheel ruler | HROD-ree |
| Rhys | Ardor; enthusiasm | HREES |
Girl Names
| Name | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Angharad | Much loved; free from shame | ang-HAR-ad |
| Branwen | Beautiful raven; fair breast | BRAN-wen |
| Carys | Love; beloved | KAH-ris |
| Cerys | Love; to love | KEH-ris |
| Dwynwen | Blessed; white; wave (patron saint of lovers) | DWIN-wen |
| Efa | Life (Welsh Eve) | EH-vah |
| Eira | Snow | AY-rah |
| Ffion | Foxglove flower | FEE-on |
| Gwen | White; fair; blessed | GWEN |
| Gwyneth | Happiness; blessed | GWIN-eth |
| Lowri | Laurel (Welsh Laura) | LOW-ree |
| Megan | Pearl (Welsh Margaret) | MEG-an |
| Nerys | Lady; lordly | NEH-ris |
| Non | Nun (mother of St. David) | NOHN |
| Rhiannon | Great queen; divine queen | hree-AN-on |
| Seren | Star | SEH-ren |
| Sian | God is gracious (Welsh Jane) | SHAHN |
| Tegan | Beautiful; darling | TEG-an |
Unisex Names
| Name | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Bryn | Hill; mound | BRIN |
| Celyn | Holly | KEL-in |
| Morgan | Sea-born; great brightness | MOR-gun |
Naming Traditions in Welsh Culture
Welsh naming traditions are deeply connected to the survival and celebration of the Welsh language and Celtic identity. For centuries, the Welsh maintained their distinct naming practices even under English political dominance, and names became a form of cultural resistance and pride. The use of “ap” (son of) and “ferch” (daughter of) in the patronymic system was the traditional Welsh approach to surnames. Owain ap Gruffudd meant “Owain, son of Gruffudd.” While fixed surnames eventually replaced the patronymic system under English influence, the result was many characteristically Welsh surnames like Jones (from John), Williams, Davies, and Evans.
The Mabinogion, Wales’ great medieval mythological text, has been an inexhaustible source of Welsh names. Characters like Rhiannon (the divine queen associated with horses and birds), Branwen (the beautiful daughter of Llyr), and Dylan (the sea-child) have inspired generations of Welsh parents. These mythological names carry stories of magic, honor, and the complex relationship between mortals and the Otherworld that defines Welsh mythology.
Welsh pronunciation is one of the most distinctive features of Welsh names and often the greatest barrier for non-Welsh speakers. The Welsh “ll” is a unique sound made by placing the tongue in the “l” position and blowing air past it, creating a voiceless lateral fricative. The “dd” sounds like the English “th” in “the.” The letter “f” sounds like English “v,” while “ff” sounds like English “f.” The letter “w” can serve as a vowel (pronounced “oo”), and “y” can sound like “uh” or “ee” depending on its position in the word.
The modern revival of the Welsh language has brought a renewed enthusiasm for traditional Welsh names. With Welsh-medium schools educating a growing number of children and the Welsh Government actively promoting the language, names like Seren, Ffion, and Gethin have surged in popularity. Wales now publishes its own baby name statistics separately from England, and the results show a distinct preference for Welsh names alongside international favorites, reflecting a confident bilingual culture that celebrates its unique heritage.
💡 Tip: The most popular Welsh baby names include Seren, Ffion, and Eira for girls, and Dylan, Rhys, and Gethin for boys. For names that English speakers find easy to pronounce, try Carys, Bryn, or Emrys. Discover more Welsh names with our Name Generator and see the latest trends at Name Trends.
FAQ
How do you pronounce the Welsh “ll” in names like Llywelyn?
The Welsh “ll” is a distinctive sound that does not exist in English. To produce it, place your tongue on the roof of your mouth as if you were about to say “l,” then blow air past the sides of your tongue without using your voice. The result is a breathy, hissing “l” sound. In phonetic notation it is a “voiceless lateral fricative.” For English speakers, approximating it as “hl” (as in “HLUH-wel-in” for Llywelyn) is the most common approach.
What are the most popular Welsh baby names in Wales?
According to recent statistics from StatsWales, the most popular Welsh-language baby names include Seren (star), Ffion (foxglove), and Eira (snow) for girls, and Dylan, Osian, and Gethin for boys. These names have gained ground alongside traditional English favorites. The Welsh Government tracks baby names separately from England, and the data consistently shows a strong preference for distinctly Welsh names.
Are Welsh names the same as Irish or Scottish names?
While Welsh, Irish, and Scottish names all have Celtic roots, they come from different branches of the Celtic language family. Welsh is a Brythonic Celtic language (along with Cornish and Breton), while Irish and Scottish Gaelic are Goidelic Celtic languages. This means Welsh names often look and sound quite different from their Irish and Scottish counterparts, even when they share similar meanings. The Welsh alphabet and phonetic system are distinct from Gaelic, giving Welsh names their own unique character.
References
- Behind the Name (2026). “Welsh Names.” behindthename.com
- Nameberry (2026). “Welsh Baby Names.” nameberry.com
- StatsWales (2025). “Baby Names in Wales.” statswales.gov.wales
- Welsh Government (2026). “Cymraeg Language Resources.” gov.wales
Written by
Vega LinFounder & Editor — Mother of 2 (Taiwan)
Vega writes Baby Care Guide from the intersection of evidence-based research (AAP, CDC, WHO) and real parenting experience. Completing her Master's in Digital Innovation at Tunghai University. Read more →
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