Enwau Cymraeg- Tarddiad ac Ystyr

Tarddiad ac Ystyr Enwau Cymraeg / Origin and Meaning of Welsh Names

Enwau Cymraeg i blant/bechgyn/merched: adnodd unigryw - Welsh names for children/boys/girls: a unique resource

Drwy gydol yr oesoedd a ledled y byd mae rhoi enwau ar bobl wedi bod yn beth bwysig. Wrth gwrs, mae i'r Gymraeg, fel i bob iaith arall, draddodiad hynafol o greu a defnyddio ffurfiau cynhenid ar enwau. Felly ceir Aeronwen (teg), Eiluned (hi a ddymunir yn fawr), Tirion (tyner, hapus), Awstin (hybarchus), Emlyn (gweithgar), a Terrwyn (dewr). Isod mae rhestr o enwau Cymraeg ar gyfer gwragedd a dynion fel y gellwch fwynhau harddwch a hanes yr iaith, a darganfod rhyw wybodaeth ddefnyddiol, efallai, fydd yn eich helpu i benderfynnu ar enw ar gyfer eich baban newydd (neu'ch cath neu gi, pwy a ŵyr?), neu ar ffugenw i'w ddefnyddio wrth gystadlu mewn Eisteddfod!

Throughout the ages and across the world, giving people names has been an important practice. Of course, Welsh, like every other language, has an ancient tradition of creating and using native forms for names. Thus we have Aeronwen (fair), Eiluned (greatly desired), Tirion (mild, happy), Awstin (venerable), Emlyn (hard-working), a Terrwyn (brave). Below is a list of Welsh names for women and men so that you can enjoy the beauty and history of the language, and discover some useful information, perhaps, which will help you to decide on a name for your new baby (or your cat or dog, who knows?), or on a pen-name to use to compete in an Eisteddfod!

Noder: Mae llawer iawn o wybodaeth eirdarddol ar y we o ran enwau cyntaf Cymraeg, ond yn anffodus, dyw ychydig o'r syniadau ddim yn hollol ddibynadwy! Hoffwn i gydnabod y ddyled fawr sydd arnaf i  'The Oxford Dictionary of First Names'. David Sutton, davidsuttonpoetry.com.

Note: There is a good deal of etymological information about Welsh forenames on the web, but unfortunately some of it is not very reliable! In carrying out these amendments, I would like to acknowledge the considerable debt I owe to the 'Oxford Dictionary of First Names'. David Sutton, davidsuttonpoetry.com.

Neidiwch i enwau bechgyn / Jump to boys names

Enwau Merched Cymraeg / Welsh Girls names

The most popular given Welsh-language female names (based on new birth registrations in Wales) in 2017 were, from first to tenth: Erin, Ffion, Seren, Megan, Mali, Alys, Nia, Cadi, Eira, Martha.

Enw / Name Tarddiad ac Ystyr / Origin and Meaning
Aberfa Aber (estuary) + fa (place)
Abertha Aberth, aberthiad (sacrifice)
Adain Adain (wing)
Adara Adar (birds)
Addfwyn Addfwyn (mild, gentle)
Aderyn Aderyn (bird)
Aelwen Ael (brow) + (g)wen (white, fair)
Aelwyd Aelwyd (hearth)
Aeres Aeres (= etifeddes, heiress)
Aeron From the Celtic goddess of battle and slaughter, Agrona. This name probably derives from an Old Celtic element represented in modern Welsh by aer (battle), but its modern use may be due to its association with aeron (berries, fruit)
Aerona A variant of Aeron
Aeronwen From Aeron + (g)wen (white, fair)
Aeronwy From Aeron + an ancient name suffix of uncertain derivation
Afanen Afanen (= mafonen, raspberry)
Alaw Alaw (lily, water lily; also air, melody)
Alis / Alys A Welsh form of Alice
Alwen The feminine form of alwyn (very white, beautiful)
Alwena A variant of Alwen
Amser Amser (time)
Aneira A feminine form of Aneirin (modern Aneurin), of uncertain origin. Aneirin was a famous Old Welsh poet, author of Y Gododdin
Angharad An (intensive prefix) + car (root of a verb meaning to love) + the nounal suffix -ad. An ancient name that figures in Welsh mythology: in the Mabinogi Angharad Golden Hand first rejects Peredur's suit, then falls in love with him when he returns as the unknown Mute Knight
Angwen An (intensive prefix) + (g)wen (white, fair)
Anna A Latinate form of Anne. The name of one of King Arthur's sisters.
Annwyl Annwyl (dear, beloved)
Anwen A variant of Angwen
Anwyl A variant of Annwyl
Anwyn A variant of Angwen
Aranrhod Aran (great, huge) + rhod (wheel). The name of the ancient Celtic goddess of the moon, and in the Fouth Branch of the Mabinogi, the mother of the hero Lleu Llaw Gyffes
Argel Argel (refuge, sanctuary)
Arglwyddes Arglwyddes (lady, female equivalent of a lord)
Argoel Argoel (= rhagarwydd, sign, portent)
Arial Arial (= llawn ynni, full of energy, vigorous)
Arianell Arianell = Ariannaidd (silver)
Arianrhod A modern version of Aranrhod, reintepreting the name as arian (silver) + rhod (wheel)
Arianwen Arian (silver) + (g)wen (white, fair). The name of a daughter of Brychan, a semi-legendary 5th century chieftain
Arlais Arlais (temple of the head, brow)
Armes Armes (= proffwydes, prophetess)
Arthes Arthes (= arth fenyw, she-bear)
Arwen A female form of Arwyn, from arwyn (very bright, splendid)
Arwydd Arwydd (sign)
Asgre Asgre (breast, bosom)
Aures Aur (gold)
Awel Awel (= gwynt ysgafn, breeze)
Aylwen Ael (brow) + (g)wen (white, fair)
Banon Banon (= brenhines, queen)
Beca From the biblical name Rebecca
Begw A short form of Megan
Berth Berth (= hardd, beautiful)
Berthog Berthog (= cyfoethog, rich)
Bethan A form of Elisabeth
Betrys A Welsh form of Beatrice
Blodeuwedd Blodau (flowers) + (g)wedd (appearance). In the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi, Blodeuwedd is the wife of Llew Llaw Gyffes, who betrays him and ends up being turned into an owl (tylluan)
Blodeuyn Blodyn (flower)
Blodwen Blodyn (flower) + (g)wen (white, fair)
Branwen Bran (raven) or bron (breast) + (g)wen (white, fair)
Bregus Bregus (= brau, frail, delicate)
Briallen Briallen (primrose)
Brin Bryn (hill)
Bron Short for Bronwen
Bronwen Bron (breast) + (g)wen (white, fair)
Bronwyn A variant of Bronwen
Buddug Buddug (= llwyddiannus, victorious)
Cadwyn Cadwyn (chain)
Caethes Caethes (= caethferch, female slave)
Cadi Short for Catrin, a Welsh form of Katherine
Cafell Cafell (oracle)
Caitrin / Catrin A Welsh form of Katherine
Cari A diminutive form of Angharad or Carys, meaning beloved
Carryl A Welsh form of Carol
Carys / Cerys Car (love = cariad) + -ys ending; a very popular name
Ceinwen Cain (fiar, lovely) + (g)wen (white, fair). The name was borne by a fifth century saint, daughter of the chieftain Brychan
Celyn Celyn (holly)
Ceri Of uncertin origin, probably a shortening of Ceridwen
Ceridwen Cerdd (song) + teg (fair). In Celtic mythology, Ceridwen is the goddess of poetic inspiration, and also said to be the name of the mother of the poet Taliesin
Corsen Corsen (= cawnen, reed)
Cragen Cragen (shell)
Cranogwen The name taken as bardic title by Sarah Jane Rees of Llangrannog, who in 1865 became the first woman to gain the coveted chair of the Royal National Eisteddfod in Aberystwyth
Creirwy The name given to the daughter of the goddess Ceridwen
Crisiant Crisiant (crystal)
Cristyn A Welsh version of Christine
Cymreiges Cymreiges (= menyw o Gymru, a Welsh woman)
Dafina A Welsh form of Davina, a Latinate feminine form of David
Del Del (= pert, pretty)
Delia A classical Greek epithet of the goddess Artemis, who lived on the island of Delos
Delwyn A modern name composed of the elements del (neat, pretty) + (g)wen (white, fair)
Delyth A modern name composed of the elements del (neat, pretty) + the suffix –yth, formed on analogy with such names as Gwenyth
Derren Aderyn (bird)
Derwen Derwen (oak tree)
Deryn Aderyn (bird)
Dicra Dicra (delicate)
Difyr Difyr (pleasant, amusing)
Dilwen The female form of Dilwyn
Dilys Dilys (genuine, sincere)
Druantia From Druantia, a hypothetical Celtic tree-goddess postulated by Robert Graves in his study 'The White Goddess'. The name would be connected with the Celtic element drus (= derw, oak)
Drysi Drysi (briers, brambles)
Dwyn Dwyn (pleasant, agreeable)
Dwynwen Dwynwen was nawddsant cariadon yng Nghymru, (the Welsh patron saint of lovers)
Dylis A variant of Dilys
Ebrill Ebrill (April)
Efa A Welsh form of Eve
Eiddwen A modern Welsh coinage, apparently from eiddun (desirable) + (g)wen (white, fair)
Eiluned A variant of Eluned. In the Mabinogi, a collection of tales from Welsh myth, she is a servant of the Lady of the Fountain who rescues the knight Owain
Eilwen A variant of Aelwen
Eira Eira (snow). A modern Welsh coinage
Eirian Eirian (fair, beautiful)
Eirianwen Eirian (fair, beautiful) + (g)wen (white)
Eiriol Eiriol (snowdrop)
Eirlys Eirlys (snowdrop)
Elen / Elin Probably a Welsh form of Helen, being used in early Welsh texts as the name of the mother of the emperor Constantine
Eleri Of uncertain origin, the name borne in the 5th century by the daughter of the sem-legendary chieftain Brychan. Also the name of a river in Ceredigion, but the river-name has a different origin
Eluned Apparently formed from an earlier Luned or Lunet; in the Arthurain romances of Chretien de Troyes, the form is Lunete.
Enfys Enfys (rainbow)
Enid Of uncertain origin; in Arthurian legend the name of the long-suffering wife of Geraint
Enrhydreg In the Welsh tale 'Culhwch and Olwen', the name given to the daughter of Tuduathar
Epona From a Gaulish word meaning ‘great mare’. In Celtic mythology Epona was a goddess associated with horses
Erdudvyl The name of a legendary daughter of Tryffin in Welsh tales
Eres Eres (= rhagorol, strange, wonderful)
Erin / Eryn From Gaelic Eirinn, the dative case of Eire (Ireland)
Esyllt Of obscure origin but probably meaning ‘of fair aspect’. Esyllt was the tragic mistress of Tristram in Arthurian romance
Eurneid The name of a daughter of Clydno in Welsh tales
Eurolwyn Aur (gold) + olwyn (wheel). Eurolwyn was a daughter of Gwydolwyn in Welsh tales
Ffansi Ffansi = dychymyg (fancy, imagination)
Ffion Ffion = bysedd y cŵn (foxglove)
Fflur Fflur (flowers, beauty)
Ffraid A Welsh form of Brigid, an Irish saint
Filomena Filomena was an early Italian saint; her name comes via Latin from the Greek Philomenos, from philein (to love) + menos (strength)
Gaenor A Welsh spelling of Gaynor, which is itself an anglicised variant of Gwenhyvar
Garan Garan (crane, heron)
Garwen The name of a mistress of King Arthur, daughter of Ogyrvan Gawr, mentioned in Triads of Britain
Gaynor An anglicised variant of Gwenhyvar
Gladys An anglicised form of the Welsh name Gwladus, of uncertain derivation
Glain Glain (gem, precious stone)
Glenda Glen (clean, pure) + da (good)
Glenys A modern Welsh coinage, probably from glen (pure, clean) + -ys ending
Glesni Glesni (blueness, paleness) from glas
Glynis A variant of Glenys
Goewyn The name of a woman who appears in the Mabinogion tale 'Math fab Mathonwy'
Goleuddydd Goleu (bright) + dydd (day)
Gorawen Gorawen (= llawenydd, joy, joyfulness)
Grug Grug (heather)
Gwanwyn Gwanwyn (spring, the season)
Gwawr Gwawr (dawn)
Gwen Gwen, the feminine form of gwyn (white, fair)
Gwenant Gwen (white, fiar) + nant (stream)
Gwenda Gwen (white, fair) + da (good)
Gwendolen A variant of Gwendolyn
Gwendolyn Gwen (white, fair) + dolen (ring, bow). In Geoffrey of Monmouth, the name of the wife of the mythical Welsh king Locrine
Gwener A Welsh version of Venus, goddess of love
Gweneth A variant of Gwenith
Gwenfrewi Gwen (white, fair) + frewi (reconciliation). The name of a famous Welsh saint, anglicised as Winifred
Gwenhwyfar Gwen (white, fair) + hwyfar (smooth, soft); famous as the name of King Arthur’s wife
Gwenith Gwenith (wheat, used in poetic expressions to mean the pick of the bunch)
Gwenyth A variant of Gwenith
Gwenllian Gwen (white, fair) + lliant (flood, flow, probably in the transferred sense of foamy, referring to a pale complexion)
Gwennan The name of a daughter of Brychan, a 5th century king
Gwenno A llysenw (nickname) for Gwen
Gwerful A Welsh traditional name composed of elements gwair (bend, ring, circle) + the lenited form of mul (shy, modest)
Gwladus Of uncertain origin; probably no connection with gwlad (country). Anglicised as Gladys
Gwlithen Gwlithyn ( = diferyn o wlith, dewdrop)
Gwylan Gwylan (seagull; used figuratively of a fair maiden)
Gwyneira Gwyn (white) + eira (snow)
Gwyneth An altered form of Gwynedd, used as a female name
Gwynne Gwyn (white, fair)
Haf Haf (summer)
Hafgan Haf (summer) + can (song)
Hafren Hafren was a legendary British princess who was drowned in the river Severn. The name shares its origin with Severn (Latin Sabrina), which is one of Britain’s most ancient river names
Heledd Of uncertain origin. The name of a semi-legendary 7th century princess in whose name a lament for her brother's death was composed in the 9th century
Heuldys Heuldes (sunshine, warmth of the sun) from haul (sun) + tes (warmth)
Heulwen Heulwen (sunshine)
Heulyn Heulyn (diminutive of haul, sun = pelydr yr haul, ray of sunshine)
Hyledd A variant of Heledd
Hywela Hywel (visible, easily seen, prominent)
Idelle A Welsh form of Ida
Ifanna A female form of Ifan
Ina A short form of various names ending in –ina, such as Christina
Iola A female form of Iolo, which is itself a diminutive of Iorwerth
Iona From the name of the Scottish island
Irwen The female form of Irwyn
Iseult / Isolde Variant forms of Esyllt, the name of the tragic mistress of Tristram in Arthurian romance
Jenna A fanciful alteration of English Jenny, with the Latinate ending a
Leri A short form of names ending in –leri, such as Meleri, Eleri and Teleri
Lili Lili (lily)
Liliwen Lili (lily) + (g)wen (white)
Llian A short form of Gwenllian
Llinos llinos (linnet)
Llio / Llion A short form of Gwenllian
Lois A biblical name of unknown origin, borne by the grandmother of a certain Timothy in the New Testament, recipient of two epistles from St Paul
Lowri A Welsh form of Laura. The mother of William Morgan, who translated the Bible into Welsh, was called Lowri
Luned A traditional name, an earlier form of Eluned
Mabli A Welsh form of Mabel, which derives from Old French amabel, meaning lovable
Madlen A Welsh form of Magdalene
Maelona A feminine form of Maelon, from mael (prince)
Mai Mai (the month of May)
Mair A Welsh form of Mary
Mairwen Mair (Mary) + (g)wen (white, fair)
Mali A Welsh form of Molly
Mallt A Welsh form of Matilda
Manon Manon (queen, maiden)
Mari A Welsh form of Mary
Mared / Marged A Welsh form of Margaret
Martha A biblical name from an Aramaic word meaning 'lady'. It was borne in the New Testament by the sister of Lazarus and Mary of Bethan, see Luke 10.18
Meagan A Welsh pet form of Meg, which is a diminutive of Margaret
Medi Medi (September)
Megan / Megann A Welsh pet form of Meg, which is a diminutive of Margaret
Meinir Meinir (tall and slender, or as a noun, beautiful young woman, sweetheart)
Melangell The name of the Welsh patron saint of animals, possibly deriving from mel (honey) + angell (angel). The Latin form of her name is Monacella
Meleri The name of St. David's grandmother
Meredith From an Old Welsh personal name Meredudd, of uncertain origin; the second element probably means ‘lord’
Mererid A Welsh form of Margaret
Meri / Meridith / Merry Variant forms of Meredith
Meriel A Welsh form of Muriel, which in turn derives from the Gaelic Muireall, apparently composed of Old Celtic elements meaning 'sea' + 'bright'
Morfudd Morfydd ferch Urien is a figure of Welsh Arthurian legend. She is the daughter of Urien Rheged by Modron, and twin sister to Owain.
Morgan / Morgana / Morganica A traditional Welsh name derived from Old Celtic morcant; the meaning of the first element is uncertain, the 'cant' means 'circle, completion'
Morwen Morwyn (young unmarried woman, maiden)
Myfanwy My (an affectionate prefix) + banwy (= benyw, woman); used in a famous Welsh song
Myfi A short form of Myfanwy
Nerys An old Welsh name of uncertain origin, perhaps from ner (lord) + ys suffix
Nest / Nesta A Welsh form of Agnes
Nia A name of Irish origin, meaning radiance, made popular by a poem by T. Gwynn Jones, ‘Tir na n- Og’, published in 1916. The poem is based on the story of the Irish hero Ossian, who falls in love with Nia Ben Aur
Non / Nona Latin nona (ninth). Nona was the name of the mother of St. David, patron saint of Wales
Olwen / Olwenna / Olwin / Olwyn Ol (track, footpring) + (g)wen (white, fair). Olwen was the giant’s daughter whose hand was sought by Culhwch, a key character in the Mabinogion; where she wallked, flowers would spring up in the track of her white feet
Paderau Paderau, the plural of pader (rosary)
Petra A Welsh feminine form of Peter
Philomen Filomena was an early Italian saint; her name comes via Latin from the Greek Philomenos, from philein (to love) + menos (strength)
Rhedyn Rhedyn (fern)
Rhiain / Rhian Rhiain (young woman, maiden)
Rhiannon / Rhianon / Rianne From old Celtic Rigantona (great queen); in Celtic mythology Rhiannon was a goddess associated with the moon
Rhianwen Rhian (maiden) + (g)wen (white, fair)
Rhonda Of English origin, probably a blend of Rhona and Rhoda, though now sometimes taken to be composed of the Welsh elements rhon (pike, lance) + da (good). Nothing to do with the Rhondda valley, which derives from a river name of completely different etymology.
Rhonwen A traditional Welsh name deriving either from the elements rhon (pike, lance) + (g)wen (white, fair) or rhawn (hair) (g)wen (white, fair)
Rhosyn Rhosyn (rose)
Rowena A Latinised form of a Saxon name of uncertain origin, perhaps from two elements meaning fame and joy
Saffir Saffir (sapphire)
Sara A Welsh form of Sarah
Seren Seren (star)
Siân A Welsh form of Jane
Siani A pet form of Siân
Sioned A form of Siân, corresponding to English Janet
Siwan A Welsh form of Joan. A famous historical Siwan was the wife of Llewelyn Fawr, and the eponymous heroine of a play by Saunders Lewis.
Tanwen Tân (fire) + (g)wen (white, fair)
Tegan / Tegwen / Tegwyn Teg (fair) + (g)wen (white, fair)
Tegeirian Tegeirian (orchid) from teg (fair) + eirian (beautiful)
Teleri An extension of the Welsh name Eleri, with the addition of an honorific prefix ty (your). Teleri, daughter of Peul, is mentioned in the Mabinogi
Telyn Telyn (harp)
Tesni Tesni (heat of the sun)
Tirion Tirion (gentle, mild)
Tiwlip Tiwlip (tulip)
Una A name of Irish origin, of uncertain derivation, possibly meaning 'lamb'
Wenda A short form of Gwendolyn
Yseult A medieval French form of Isolde, the name of the tragic mistress of Tristram in Arthurian romance

Analysis of female given names in Wales, 1997-2017

This table shows the Welsh-origined given female names in Wales, sorted by year, from 2017 through to 1997, based on new birth registrations. Use Show 10 entries to select 50, and you can then sort by year or name. Use Next and Previous to see more years.

Name201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
Erin911141011139892114136133142157179146103871129480575347
Ffion8888105103116128177157182208221201208249253227223215232248205
Seren78112119142159198221214256252222185166118113988386623137
Megan778491131140153184204233268258261268329331342391452430358350
Mali716464628254535453424237463039
Alys5770475359343230292931
Nia4838483845575751598997937688938010197768799
Eira444433
Cadi44383742473644373735
Martha43395344484249373945
Lowri41343434486064605361846969851009411098101104105
Efa40433539354134
Elin3732424248514658476156625172595255675041
Eleri3432363932
Gwen3431
Cerys333635387869109116961331611631701271491621619758
Carys324440456669779189110114130142107698893929079
Lois4134514551504943384240353736475843
Bethan 35394963627991108103123126173200212244275
Tegan344936505364586051464929
Celyn3333
Catrin3440565766816474728591636877
Lili42374134
Mari313235
Rhiannon353934443057575263949088
Sara31303531484654
Angharad322935555358
Rhian30313248325248
Siân3550505155
Ceri31293336
Sioned284143
Total151314161420161618191818151619181819192019


Enwau Bechgyn Cymraeg / Welsh Boys Names

The most popular given Welsh-language male names (based on new birth registrations in Wales) in 2017 were, from first to tenth: Dylan, Harri, Osian, Evan, Elis, Jac, Rhys, Cai, Morgan.

Enw / Name Tarddiad ac Ystyr / Origin and Meaning
Aeddan A Welsh form of Aidan
Afan Probably a loan from the Latin Amandus. The name of an early Celtic saint, a grandson of Cunedda Wledig, king of Gwynedd, in the early 6th century. He is said to have been martyred by pirates on the bank of the River Chwefru
Aled Aled (= epil, offspring)
Alun Probably a Welsh cognate of Alan, a name borne by a character in the Mabinogi, Alun of Dyfed, and made popular in the 19th century through its use as a bardic name by John Blackwell (1797-1840)
Alwyn A version of Alvin, which derives from Old English elements aelf (elf) + wine (friend)
Anarawd Anarawd was a legendary father of Iddig. The name may mean undisgraced, free of shame
Andras A Welsh variant of Andrew
Aneirin Of uncertain origin, possibly meaning modest; Aneirin was a famous Old Welsh poet, author of 'Y Gododdin', which tells the story of an unsuccessful raid on Catraeth (Catterick) by three hundred chosen warriors of the Old North
Aneurin A modern spelling of Aneirin
Angwyn An (intensifying prefix) + gwyn (fair)
Arawn In Welsh mythology, Arawn was the king of the otherworld realm of Annwn, appearing prominently in the first branch, and alluded to in the fourth.
Arfon From the placename, which means 'facing Anglesey': Arfon refers to the southern shore of the Menai Strait, the part of mainland Wales closest to the island of Anglesey.
Arthfael Arth (bear) + mael (prince). This was the name of a 6th-century Welsh saint who founded abbeys in Brittany
Arthus A variant of Arthur, which is itself of uncertain derivation, appearing first in the Latin form Artorius
Arwel An Old Welsh name of unknown meaning
Arwyn Arwyn (very bright, splendid)
Awstin A Welsh form of Austin, which is a contraction of the Latin Augustinus, which in turn derives from Augustus, meaning great, magnificent
Bedwyr The name of one of King Arthur's knights, anglicised as Bedivere. He plays a prominent part in the early Welsh tale 'Culhwch and Olwen'
Berwyn An ancient Welsh personal name comprising the elements barr (head) + (g)wyn (white, fair)
Bleddyn / Bledig Wolflike, from blaidd (wolf) + the diminutive suffix –yn. Blaidd was often used in early Welsh poetry to mean hero
Bowen From ap Owen; son of Owen
Brith Brith (= brych, speckled)
Brân Bran (crow, raven)
Brenin Brenin (king)
Brychan Brychan (a brindled covering)
Bryn Bryn (hill)
Brynmor Bryn mawr (great hill)
Cadell Cad (battle) + diminutive suffix -ell
Cadfael Cad (battle) + mael (prince)
Cadfan Cad (battle) + man (place)
Cadoc The name of a Welsh saint, born around AD 497, who was famed for his wisdom and became Abbot of Llancarfan in Glamorganshire
Cadogan An anglicised form of Cadwgawn
Cadwalader An anglicised form of Cadwaladr
Cadwaladr Cad (battle) + gwaladwr (leader). St Cadwaladr was a 6th century British chieftain who died fighting the pagan Saxon invaders
Cadwgan / Cadwgawn Cad (battle) + gwgawn (= gogoniant, glory). The name occurs in the Mabinogi as the son of Iddon
Caerwyn A variant of Carwyn, reinterpreted as caer (fortress) + (g)wyn (white, fair)
Cai / Cei A Celticised form of Latin Gaius, the Welsh form of Kay, one of King Arthur's knights, who along with Bedwyr plays a prominent part in the early Welsh tale 'Culhwch and Olwen'
Caradoc An ancient Celtic name apparently derived from a root car- (to love). In Geoffrey of Monmouth, Caradoc Vreichvras (Caradoc Strongarm) is one of King Arthur's knights
Carwyn A modern Welsh coinage comprising the elements car (love) + (g)wyn (white, fair)
Cefin A Welsh form of Kevin, which comes from the Gaelic Caoimhin, a diminutive of caomh (comely), hence 'little comely one'
Celyn Celyn (holly)
Cledwyn A traditional Welsh name, apparently from caled (hard, rough) + (g)wyn (white, fair)
Cynddelw A traditional Welsh name, of uncertain origin but possibly from an Old Celtic element meaning 'high, exalted' + delw (image)
Cynwrig From Welsh cyn (chief) +  ('hero, man) + the suffix -ig indicating 'has the quality of'
Dafydd A Welsh form of David
Dai Now used as a short form of Dafydd, but originally a separate name deriving from an Old Celtic element tei (shining)
Deiniol Apparently a Welsh form of Daniel. The name was borne by a 6th century saint
Derfel The name of a 6th century Welsh saint, reputed to have been a follower of King Arthur. Recently fictionalized as the hero of a trio of Arthurian novels by Bernard Cornwell
Deri / Derwyn = Derwen (oak)
Dewi A Welsh form of David, the usual form in the Middle Ages; Patron saint of Wales
Dewydd A Welsh form of David
Dilwyn A modern Welsh name, from dilys (genuine, steadfast) + (g)wyn (white, fair)
Drystan A Welsh form of Tristram
Dyfan A Welsh form of Damon. St Dyfan was a rather obscure early Christian saint and martyr in Roman times, and possibly Wales's first martyr
Dyfed From the Welsh county name, which anciently referred to what is now Pembrokeshire. In the First Branch of the Mabinogi, the hero Pwyll is Lord of Dyfed
Dylan A name of uncertain origin, probably connected with an element meaning ‘sea’. In the Mabinogi, Dylan is the miraculously born son of Aranrhod
Eifion An Old Welsh name; the name of a son of Cunedda
Eilian From Latin Aelianus. A noted bearer is St. Eilian (Elian), a Catholic saint who founded a church in North Wales around the year 450. The Parish of Llanelian is named after him.
Einion Einion (anvil)
Einwys A pet form of Einion
Elidyr Elydyr (brass, bronze)
Elis A Welsh form of Ellis, which is derived from Elias, the Greek name of the prophet Elijah, meaning ‘Yahweh is God’
Elisud An old Welsh name, deriving from elus (kind, benevolent)
Emlin / Emlyn Of uncertain origin, possibly from the Latin Aemilianus, which may itself come from a lost Celtic name
Emrick / Emris / Emrys A Welsh form of Ambrose, which derives via Latin from the Greek ambrosios (immortal)
Emyr Emyr (emperor, king, lord). The name was borne by a 6th century Breton saint who settled in Cornwall
Eurig Eurog (golden, gilded)
Evan / Ewan / Ewen Anglicised forms of Ieuan
Ffrancis A Welsh form of Francis, which derives ultimately from Italian Francesco (Frenchman)
Folant A Welsh form of Valentine, from the Latin name Valentinus, from Latin valens (strong, healthy)
Gareth Of uncertain derivation, this name first occurs in Malory’s ‘Morte d’Arthur’
Gavan / Gavin A modern form of Gawain
Gawain / Gawen Of uncertain derivation, but possibly deriving from Gwalchmai; the name of one of King Arthur’s knights
Geraint Of uncertain derivation, possibly from an old British name that appears in a Greek inscription as Gerontios, and maybe influenced by a Greek word for ‘old man’. Geraint was one of King Arthur’s knights.
Gerallt A Welsh form of Gerald, which is of Germanic origin, comprising the elements ger (spear) + wald (rule)
Gethen / Gethin A lenited form of cethin (= tywyll ei groen, dusky, swarthy)
Glaw Glaw (rain). A modern Welsh name
Glendower An anglicised form of Glyndwr
Glendower / Glyndwr Glyn (= cwm, valley) + dŵr (water). This name is often given in honour of the 14th century Welsh patriot Owain Glyndwr
Glyn Glyn (= cwm, valley)
Glynn A variant of Glyn
Gofannon / Govannon From a Latin form Gobannus, one of the deities worshipped by the ancient Celts, which is related to the Irish gobae (smith). Gofannon was a great worker in metal, and appears in the early tale 'Culhwch and Olwen', where one of the tasks given to Culhwch by Olwen's father is to get Gofannon to sharpen his brother's plough
Goronwy A name of uncertain origin. It occurs in the Mabinogi, where Goronwy Pebyr becomnes the lover of Blodeuwedd and kills Llew Llaw Gyffes. Also the name of a steward under Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, king of Gwynedd
Grigor A Welsh form of Gregory, from Greek Grigorios (meaning gwyliadwrus, watchful)
Griff / Griffin / Griffith / Gruff / Gruffin / Gruffud / Gruffudd / Gruffydd The second element means lord; the meaning of the first is uncertain. The Griff variants are anglicised forms of Gruffudd
Grwn Grwn (= trum, crib, ridge, piece of ploughed land between two furrows)
Guto A pet form of Gruffudd
Gwalchgwyn Gwalch (hawk) + gwyn (white)
Gwalchmai / Gwalchmei Gwalch (hawk) + an element of uncertain meaning, possibly meaning 'plain' and probably unrelated to Mai, the name of the month
Gwallter A Welsh form of Walter, which is of Germanic origin, deriving from wald (rule) + her (army)
Gwatycn a Welsh form of Watkin, which is a diminutive of the name Watt (also Wat), a popular Middle English given name itself derived as a pet form of the name Walter
Gwilim / Gwilym / Gwillym A Welsh form of William
Gwyn / Gwynn Gwyn (white, fair)
Gwynedd The name of a region of mediaeval North Wales, now resurrected as the name of a county
Gwynfor A modern coinage, apparently from gwyn (white, fair) + the mutated form of mawr (great)
Gwydyr / Gwythyr A Welsh form of Victor
Hari / Harri A Welsh form of Harry, itself a form of Henry, from Latin Henricus, which itself derives from two Germanic words, haim (home) + ric (ruler)
Heddwyn hHedd (peace) + (g)wyn (fair, blessed). Popularised by the fame of the young poet Ellis Humphrey Evans, killed in the First World War, who took Hedd Wyn as his bardic name
Hefin Haf (summer)
Heilyn Heilyn (= arolygwr, steward). A traditional Welsh name, originally a byname for a steward or wine-pourer, from heilio (to pour out, dispense)
Heulog Heulog (sunny)
Howell An anglicised form of Hywel
Huw A Welsh form of Hugh, which comes from a Germanic word hug (mind, spirit)
Hywel Hywel (visible, prominent, eminent). A name borne by Hywel Dda, 10th century founder of Welsh laws
Iago A Welsh form of Jacob. This was the name of two early Welsh kings of Gwynedd. It is also the name of the villain in Shakespeare's 'Othello'
Ianto A diminutive of Ifan
Idris Iud (lord) + ris (ardent, impulsive)
Idwal Iud (lord, master) + (g)wal (wall, rampart)
Iefan / Ieuan / Ifan A Welsh form of John
Iestin / Iestyn A Welsh form of Justin
Ifor A traditional Welsh name of uncertain origin, sometimes anglicised as Ivor, but Ivor has an entirely different origin, coming from Scandinavian words yr (yew) + herr (army, warrior)
Ilar A Welsh form of Hilary, which comes from the Latin Hilarius, from hilaris (cheerful)
Illtud / Illtyd From il, el (multitude) + tud (land, people). The name was borne by a famous 5th century saint. Illtyd is the modern spelling.
Ioan A Welsh form of John
Iolo / Iolyn Pet forms of Iorwerth
Iorwerth A traditional Welsh name formed from the elements ior (ord) + a mutated form of berth (handsome)
Islwyn Taken from the name of a mountain in Gwent, which is formed from is (below) + llwyn (grove)
Iwan A Welsh form of John
Jac A Welsh form of Jack
Lewys A Welsh form of Louis or Lewis
Llew / Llewelyn / Llywellyn An ancient name of uncertain origin, going back to an Old Celtic form Lugobelinos, where the first element seems to be the name of the god Lugh. It became altered by association with llew (lion)
Lloyd / Loyd An anglicised form of llwyd (grey, grey-haired)
Llywarch A traditional Welsh name, formed from the god's name Lugo + Old Celtic marcos (horse). Llywarch Hen (534-608) was a prince and poet of the kingdom of Rheged, and accounted one of the four great bards of early Welsh poetry, along with Aneirin, Taliesin and Myrddin. A number of early poems are attributed to him, though whether he actually had any hand in them is unknown
Lyn A short form of Llewellyn
Mabon / Mabyn From mab (son); Mabon seems to have been the name of a divinity; it is also borne by a character in the Mabinogion tale ‘Culhwch ac Olwen’
Macsen / Maxen A Welsh form of Maximus, a 4th century Roman ruler who according to legend married a Welsh princess. Maximus means 'greatest'
Madoc / Madog A Welsh form of the Irish Maedoc, which derives from an Irish root 'aed' meaning 'fire'. The name of a Welsh prince who allegedly discovered America in 1170
Maldwyn A Welsh variant of Baldwin, derived from the Germanic elements bald (bold, brave) + win (friend)
March March = ceffyl (horse, stallion)
Maredudd A Welsh form of Meredith
Martyn A Welsh form of Martin, which comes from Latin Martinus, from mars, the god of war
Medwyn The name of a Welsh saint whose feast day falls on January 1st.
Meic / Meical A Welsh form of Michael
Merfyn A traditional name, composed of two Old Celtic elements mer (probably meaning marrow) + myn (eminent). Anglicised as Mervyn
Meurig A Welsh form of Maurice, derived from Latin Mauricius via Old Welsh Mouric
Mihangel A Welsh form of Michael
Morcan / Morgan A traditional Welsh name derived from Old Celtic morcant; the meaning of the first element is uncertain, the 'cant' means 'circle, completion'
Mostyn From the name of a place in Clwyd, on the Dee estuary. The placename itself is Old English rather than Welsh in origin, from mos (moss) + tun (settlement, enclosure)
Myrddin / Myrddyn An ancient Welsh name, famous as the name of the wizard in Arthurian romance. It seems to have been composed of Old Celtic words meaning 'sea' and 'hill, fort'
Nye A pet form of Aneurin
Osian This derives from the traditional Irish Gaelic name Oisin, a name borne by the son of great Irish Hero Fionn mac Cumhaill. Oisin was lured away by a fairy woman to Tir na'n Og, the Land of the Young, and when he grew homesick and came back to see his kin, found that centuries had passed and all the Fianna were long dead
Owain An ancient Welsh name of uncertain origin, possibly derived from Latin Eugenius. Owain appears as a character in the Mabinogi, where he is a knight rescued by the Lady of the Fountain.
Owen An anglicised form of Owain
Pedr A Welsh form of Peter
Pryderi Pryderi (anxiety, care). The name borne by the hero of the First Branch of the Mabinogi
Prys From ap Rhys (son of Rhys)
Rees An anglicised form of Rhys
Rhisiart A Welsh form of Richard
Rhodd Rhodd (= anrheg, gift)
Rhodri From an Old Welsh personal name formed from the elements rhod (wheel) + rhi (ruler). Rhodri the Great was a 9th century king of Gwynedd
Rhydderch A traditional Welsh name, originally a byname meaning 'reddish-brown', and the origin of the surname Protheroe, from ap Rhydderch, son of Rhydderch. Anglicised as Roderick
Rhys A traditional Welsh name meaning 'ardour', borne by several rulers of south-west Wales in the early Middel Ages, such as Rhys ap Tewdur and Rhys ap Gruffudd
Robat A Welsh form of Robert
Sawyl A Welsh form of Samuel
Seimon A Welsh form of Simon
Selwyn An English name, transferred from a surname, probably deriving from sele (hall) = wine (friend)
Siarl A Welsh form of Charles
Siôn A Welsh form of John
Sionym A pet form of Siôn
Siriol Siriol (cheerful, joyful)
Steffan A Welsh form of Stephen, which derives from a Greek word for crown
Talfryn A modern Welsh name, deriving from tal (high, end of) + a mutated form of bryn (hill)
Taliesin An Old Welsh name composed of the elements tal (brow) + iesin (shining). Taliesin was a renowned 6th century Welsh poet
Tarian Tarian (shield)
Teilo The name of a 6th century Welsh saint, reputed to be a cousin and disciple of St David. He became bishop of Llandaff. The name derives form an Old Welsh form Eliau or Eilliau
Terrwyn Terrwyn (= dewr, strong, steadfast)
Tomas / Tomos / Twm / Tŵm A Welsh form of Thomas
Trefor Tre (town) + mawr (great). Originally a surname, which in turn derives from a common placename. Anglicised as Trevor
Tristan / Trystan A Welsh form of Tristram, a hero of mediaeval romance. The name is of unknown origin, but may be connected with the Pictish Drostan
Tudur A traditional Welsh name, derived from the Old Celtic form Teutorix, composed of elements meaning 'people, tribe' + 'ruler, king'. Sometimes believed to be a form of Theodore, but in fact there is no connection
Urien An ancient name, possibly deriving from Old Celtic elements meaning 'privileged' + 'birth'. The name of a historical king of Rheged who fought against the Northumbrians in the 6th century, who also makes an appearance in the Mabinogi
Ynyr A traditional Welsh name of uncertain origin, possibly from Latin Honorius. There is a reference in the Mabinogi to a battle between two Ynyrs
Wil A short form of Gwilym
Wyn / Wynne A short form of Gwyn

Analysis of male given names in Wales, 1997-2017

This table shows the Welsh-origined male given names in Wales, sorted by year, from 2017 through to 1997, based on new birth registrations. Use Show 10 entries to select 50, and you can then sort by year or name. Use Next and Previous to see more years.

Name201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
Dylan150149163215209230261258342353348355322333332328310203163184145
Harri12713712012012310610195759576874552494651563738
Osian1151161271171221191011431059884102835669464440443537
Evan816792103107139136166195175193174140134117697863544135
Elis7056545352443739404128
Rhys647395104117152193190232302298305275302298300333326293334300
Jac6472979610210495969997101101818992847162604444
Tomos618376809010193891111011079499947611199114114113109
Cai59587059656685871101031061331058293595854414744
Ellis525276746568586970708486777669664868505063
Ioan525268545966727681921006984686969687147
Macsen52503745
Owen4857565366659391123120125121150134161146143131161158107
Hari384137
Gruffydd36
Gethin47394979819091951097766644940414245
Iestyn393650756952697181781228284583141
Owain373838545159857772918187718080707165
Ifan36403631
Cian444547466459646968697045494032
Ieuan3840475170867794105102116978910511510894114
Iwan424348535064686662758470101837341
Steffan3740393744634646535262546965
Lloyd613838525875525576
Siôn4745624957565882718477
Ewan404745514957444936
Dafydd3742629081909799998492
Aled3645373735525872
Tomas40413639384634333840
Lewys373633
Carwyn3338
Dewi3233
Rhodri344146
Gareth415674
Geraint37
Huw41
Total151418181719181920212022222426252325262521

Tudalen a luniwyd gan David Sutton, gyda chymorth gan Neil Rowlands and Patrick Jemmer
Page compiled by David Sutton with support by Neil Rowlands and Patrick Jemmer


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