Top 450 Welsh Names

Welsh names are part of an enduring culture and language, and bestowing a Welsh name upon a person connects them to the Welsh community that values tradition, nature, and honor. Here you’ll find our lists of common Welsh male and female names, popular Welsh baby names, and meanings.

Welsh Names and Meanings

Welsh names are an essential part of the vibrant Welsh culture that has strived to preserve its history and language in the face of immense outside pressure. Welsh names have unique spellings that are pronounceable to non-native speakers with practice. These names have a distinct air of antiquity, pride, nonconformity, and connectedness to their heritage. The Welsh language is mysterious and conjures fantasy elements such as dragons, castles, and magical hills.

Welsh names are intrinsically unique as part of a language spoken by a small population. These names have been given to children by their parents since ancient times when Celtic people settled in the region now known as Wales. Less than a million people still speak Welsh today, but it is a highly regarded tongue, and natives have made significant efforts to teach it to future generations. By using a Welsh name, one helps to preserve and celebrate this language. Below we have curated comprehensive lists of Welsh names, including the common names and lists by theme.

Top 100 Welsh Names

We have gathered popular Welsh baby names in one convenient and comprehensive guide. This list of common Welsh names and their meanings showcases the finest that Wales has to offer.

Female Names	Male Names
Gwen – White, fair	Rhys – Enthusiasm, passion
Megan – Pearl	Dylan – Son of the sea
Anwen – Very beautiful	Owain – Youth, well-born
Nia – Purpose, radiance	Gareth – Gentle, polite
Carys – Love, affection	Morgan – Sea defender, bright sea
Rhian – Maiden, pure	Caradog – Dear one, beloved
Enid – Soul, life	Llewellyn – Lion-like, lion
Rhiannon – Great queen, divine queen	Emrys – Immortal, emperor
Siân – God is gracious	Evan – Young warrior, God is gracious
Ffion – Foxglove	Griffin – Strong lord, red-haired
Eira – Snow	Aled – Offspring of Aled
Seren – Star	Cai – Rejoice
Gwyneth – Blessed, white	Madoc – Fortunate, fortunate one
Mari – Bitter, rebellious	Macsen – Greatest, the greatest
Bronwen – White breast, fair breast	Padrig – Noble
Caryn – Pure love	Trystan – Tumult, outcry
Elain – Bright, shining	Bryn – Hill, mound
Gwenyth – Fortunate, blessed	Griff – Strong lord, red-haired
Iola – Violet-colored dawn	Dillan – Like a lion, faithful
Elinor – Bright, shining one	Iago – Supplanter, holder of the heel
Tegan – Beautiful, fair	Idris – Ardent lord, fiery leader
Arwen – Noble maiden, fair, blessed	Mael – Chief, prince
Catrin – Pure	Osian – Little deer, fawn
Reese – Sea circle, bright sea	Taliesin – Shining brow, radiant forehead
Brynn – Hill, mound	Wynn – White, fair
Gwendolyn – White ring, blessed ring	Owen – Young warrior
Meredith – Great lord, sea lord	Gael – Generous, hospitable
Winnie – Fair, blessed	Emyr – King, ruler
Erin – From ireland, peace	Bryson – Son of brice
Guinevere – White phantom, white ghost	Gavin – White hawk, battle hawk
Winifred – Blessed peace, fair peace	Maddox – Fortunate, benefactor’s son
Brenda – Prince, sword	Lloyd – Gray-haired, sacred
Cambria – Wales, welsh	Tristan – Noise, sorrowful
Bryn – Hill, mound	Caden – Battle, spirit of battle
Daenerys – Oak tree	Cadoc – Battle, spirit of battle
Sianna – God is gracious	Aidan – Fire, fiery
Cambrie – Wales, welsh	Lewis – Renowned warrior
Eryn – From ireland, peace	Ellis – Benevolent, kind
Cambree – Wales, Welsh	Bowen – Son of Owen
Iona – Blessed, island	Alan – Handsome, harmony
Gladys – Princess, country	Kendrick – Greatest champion
Rhys – Enthusiasm, passion	Trevor – Big village, homestead
Siana – God is gracious	Arian – Silver, wealthy
Winnifred – Blessed peace, fair peace	Drew – Manly, courageous
Evanna – God is gracious, peaceful	Reece – Enthusiasm, fiery
Bronwyn – White breast, fair breast	Marvin – Sea friend, lover of the sea
Cari – Love, affection	Flynn – Son of the red-haired one, ruddy
Arwyn – White, blessed	Reese – Enthusiasm, fiery
Rowena – Famous friend, white-haired	Aron – Mountain of strength, exalted
Brynna – Hill, mound	Darren – Great, oak tree
Gwenevere – White phantom, white ghost	Jones – God is gracious
Wynne – Fair, blessed	Vaughn – Small, little
Brynne – Hill, mound	Glenn – Valley, narrow valley
Glenda – Holy, pure	Cecil – Blind, dim-sighted
Gwendolynn – White ring, blessed ring	Floyd – Gray, pale
Morgana – Sea circle, bright sea	Broderick – Famous ruler, powerful ruler
Gweneth – Fortunate, blessed	Merlin – Sea fortress, from the sea
Siani – God is gracious	Conway – Holy river, from the holy river
Caris – Love, grace	Price – Prize, son of Rhys
Emlyn – Valley of the rushing water, peaceful	Kendric – Greatest champion
Gwendalyn – White ring, blessed ring	Pryce – Son of Rhys
Nimue – Lady of the lake, purity	Evans – Son of Evan
Megha – Pearl	Jareth – He shines, he holds to a high position
Jennica – God beholds, gift of God	Mervin – Sea lover, lover of the sea
Kenda – Clear water, manx	Gavyn – White hawk, battle hawk
Wynnie – Fair, blessed	Evaan – Young warrior, God is gracious
Gladis – Princess, country	Jevon – Young warrior, God is gracious
Enedina – Soul, life	Dewey – Beloved, friend
Keri – Love, grace	Edan – Fire, fiery
Rianne – Small river, grace	Sion – God is gracious
Rhianna – Great queen, divine queen	Caio – Rejoice, be glad
Dyllan – Son of the sea	Rhydian – From the ford, ford protector
Gwynn – White, blessed	Alwyn – White, blessed
Gwendolen – White ring, blessed ring	Cary – Love, affection
Merlyn – Sea fortress, from the sea	Maxen – Greatest, the greatest
Rhonda – Noisy, rough	Dyllan – Son of the sea
Gwendoline – White ring, blessed ring	Griffith – Strong lord, red-haired
Gwenneth – Fortunate, blessed	Brees – Beauty, fairness
Jennika – God beholds, gift of God	Hari – Ruler, home ruler
Manon – Bitter, rebellious	Elis – The lord is my God
Aneira – Golden, noble	Dylon – Son of the sea
Elwyn – White, blessed	Jestin – Just, fair
Gwyndolyn – White ring, blessed ring	Elwyn – White, blessed
Gwynne – White, fair	Caron – Loving, kind
Morgen – Sea-born, sea circle	Edwyn – Rich friend, prosperous friend
Rees – Enthusiasm, passion	Gaven – White hawk, battle hawk
Treva – Homestead, dwelling place	Evyn – Young warrior, God is gracious
Elen – Bright, shining	Vaughan – Small, little
Gwyn – White, fair	Wyn – White, fair
Karys – Love, grace	Garth – Garden, enclosure
Vala – Chosen, select	Trevyn – Big village, homestead
Sara – Princess	Auryn – Golden, golden-haired
Deryn – Bird	Davyn – Beloved, friend
Jestina – Just, fair	Kimball – War leader, brave leader
Megyn – Pearl	Powell – Son of howell, son of the prominent one
Merideth – Great lord, sea lord	Howell – Eminent, prominent
Cadi – Pure, clear	Rees – Enthusiasm, passion
Eilir – Butterfly	Armel – Bear prince, bear chief
Neryn – The Lord	Carwyn – Blessed love, fair love
Cerin – Love	Llewelyn – Lion-like, lion

Unique Welsh Names

This list of unique Welsh names comprises the rarest and most intriguing names in all of Wales. They encapsulate the beauty and strength of Welsh culture with their melodious sounds and rich historical significance.

Female Names	Male Names
Aderyn – Bird	Afan – River
Aeron – Berry, fruit	Arwyn – Fair, white
Bethan – God is my oath	Brysin – Son of brys
Branwen – Fair raven, blessed raven	Cadell – Battle, spirit of battle
Brynnan – Hill, mound	Cayo – Rejoice, be glad
Caron – Loving, kind	Colwyn – Little cub, young fox
Cristyn – Follower of Christ	Daryn – Great, oak tree
Dylan – Son of the sea, great tide	Evann – Young warrior, God is gracious
Ellis – Benevolent, kind	Gavan – White hawk, battle hawk
Eres – Snow	Harri – Ruler, home ruler
Glenys – Holy, pure	Ioan – God is gracious
Gwenda – White, fair	Iori – Lord
Kendrick – Greatest champion	Jeaven – Young warrior, God is gracious
Keris – Love, grace	Jonis – Dove
Kerris – Love, grace	Kendri – Greatest champion
Lakendra – The dear one, the clear water	Kendryck – Greatest champion
Morgaine – Sea circle, bright sea	Keni – Handsome, fair
Morgane – Sea circle, bright sea	Lewys – Renowned warrior
Morganne – Sea circle, bright sea	Loyd – Gray-haired, sacred
Olwyn – White footprint, white track	Lugh – Light, brightness
Penrose – Headland, promontory	Merlyn – Sea fortress, from the sea
Rhianon – Great Queen, divine Queen	Morgen – Sea-born, sea circle
Silke – Blind, dim-sighted	Rhian – Maiden, pure
Vanora – White wave, white phantom	Rhysand – Enthusiasm, passion
Wendolyn – White ring, blessed ring	Yale – Fertile upland, heights

Cute Welsh Names

We’ve packed this list of cute Welsh names with the most adorable boy and girl names. These irresistibly cute Welsh names have unique and endearing qualities that add magic to a baby name.

Female Names	Male Names
Anwyn – Very fair, very blessed	Adain – Attractive, handsome
Blodwen – White flower	Adeon – Winged, bird-like
Brecken – Freckled, speckled	Aland – Rock, noble
Bronwynn – White breast, fair breast	Allyn – Handsome, harmony
Cary – Love, affection	Bevan – Son of evan
Cati – Pure, clear	Ceron – Cherry, dear one
Ceri – To love, to cherish	Dai – Beloved, friend
Ceridwen – Fair poetry, white enchantress	Davies – Son of david
Cerys – Love, beloved	Derwyn – Gifted friend, handsome friend
Dai – Beloved, friend	Deryn – Bird
Dee – Divine, goddess	Garreth – Gentle, polite
Dylane – Son of the sea, great tide	Gawain – White hawk, battle hawk
Eirian – Bright, beautiful	Glynn – Valley, narrow valley
Glenis – Holy, pure	Gwilym – Resolute protector
Glynis – Holy, pure	Ianto – God is gracious
Glynnis – Holy, pure	Ieuan – God is gracious
Guenevere – White phantom, white ghost	Kai – Keeper of the keys, earth
Gwenith – Wheat, white	Lew – Renowned warrior
Gwennan – Blessed, white	Marvyn – Sea friend, lover of the sea
Gwynneth – Fortunate, blessed	Marwin – Sea friend, lover of the sea
Madlen – Of magdala, tower	Niclas – Victory of the people
Meredyth – Great lord, sea lord	Nye – God is gracious
Meridith – Great lord, sea lord	Pawl – Small, humble
Nerys – Lady, noblewoman	Rodric – Famous ruler, famous king
Olwen – White footprint, white track	Romney – From the river island
Rhedyn – Fern	Selwyn – Fair, blessed
Rhoslyn – Rose lake	Urian – Privileged, privileged birth
Win – White, fair	Win – White, fair

Cool Welsh Names

Our list of cool Welsh names proves that these are not just for history enthusiasts. These incredibly cool Welsh names exude a sense of mystique and strength, making them perfect choices for those seeking a captivating Welsh name.

Female Names	Male Names
Beca – To tie, to bind	Aeron – Battle, slaughter
Bevin – Sweet woman, charming lady	Brecken – Freckled, speckled
Blodwyn – White flower	Cadel – Battle, spirit of battle
Bronnie – Fair breast, white breast	Crichton – From the town on the boundary
Cerridwen – Fair poetry, white enchantress	Delwyn – Pretty, blessed
Deren – Bird	Derec – Ruler of the people
Deron – Bird	Dewi – Beloved
Gayna – White, fair	Drystan – Noise, sorrowful
Glenice – Valley of joy	Dyllon – Son of the sea
Glynda – Holy, pure	Glyn – Valley, narrow valley
Gwendolene – White ring, blessed ring	Huw – Mind, intellect
Gwenetta – White, fair	Iestyn – Just, fair
Jesstina – Just, fair	Iwan – God is gracious
Jonis – God is gracious	Jeston – Just, fair
Kendrya – Chief hero, leader of warriors	Kendricks – Greatest champion
Lonette – Lark	Kenn – Bright, clear
Meghanne – Pearl	Kynan – Chief, leader
Neris – Lady, noblewoman	Mervyn – Sea lover, lover of the sea
Nesta – Pure, sacred	Mostyn – Moss town, town near moss
Rianon – Great Queen, divine queen	Nesta – Pure, sacred
Rondelle – Round, circular	Rhion – Maiden, pure
Secelia – Blind, dim-sighted	Rhodri – Ruler’s wheel, ruler’s circle
Tristana – Sorrowful, sad	Tarian – Shield, protection
Wendee – Fair, blessed	Tirian – From the land, from the country
Winafred – Friend of peace, blessed peacemaking	Tirion – Gentle, pleasant
Wynna – Fair, blessed	Trevis – Homestead, dwelling place

Old Welsh Names

Old Welsh names reflect the Welsh language’s poetic nature. These names connect to the country’s ancient heritage and continue to be celebrated and cherished by rural Welsh communities.

Female Names	Male Names
Aelwen – Fair brow	Alwin – Friend of elves, noble friend
Alaw – Melody	Aneirin – Gold, honour
Alawen – White brow	Arwel – Noble promise
Alwen – White brow	Bedwyr – Warrior
Angharad – Much loved	Bleddyn – Wolf hero
Arianwen – White, blessed silver	Cadfael – Battle prince
Celyn – Holly	Celyn – Holly
Ceris – Cherries	Ceri – Love
Dafina – Laurel, victory	Cynan – Chief
Dilys – Genuine, steadfast	Dafydd – Beloved, friend
Eilonwy – Deer	Dilwyn – Fair and blessed
Eirlys – Snowdrop	Efan – God is gracious
Eirwen – White snow	Eifion – Shining, bright
Eirys – Iris	Eilir – Butterfly
Elan – Sparkling, bright	Einion – Anvil
Eleri – Bitterness, sorrow	Elgan – Bright circle
Ffionwen – Blessed foxglove	Emyrion – Welsh word for emperor
Glesni – Green, blue sky	Eryl – Wandering
Gwawr – Dawn	Eurig – Gold
Gwendolynne – White ring, blessed ring	Geraint – Old, victorious
Gwenllian – White, blessed ring	Gethin – Dark-skinned, swarthy
Gwenn – White, fair	Gruff – Strong lord
Gwenno – White, blessed	Gruffydd – Strong lord
Heledd – Pool of salt	Gwyn – White, fair
Heulwen – Sunshine	Hywel – Eminent, eminent leader
Ifanwy – Much loved	Idwal – Lord of the wall
Llinos – Welsh word for linnet, a type of bird	Ifan – God is gracious
Lowri – Laurel	Ifor – Lord
Luned – Idol, image, shape	Iolo – Handsome lord
Mabli – Lovable	Llyr – Sea
Mair – Bitter, beloved	Llywarch – Ruler of the host
Mared – Pearl	Llywelyn – Leader, lion-like
Meinir – Delicate, gentle	Mabon – Son
Meradith – Great lord, sea lord	Maelgwn – Princely hound
Meri – Bitter, beloved	Meurig – Great ruler
Morwen – Sea maiden	Myrddin – Sea fortress
Morwenna – Waves of the sea, maiden	Peredur – Hard spear
Myfanwy – Beloved	Prys – Son of rhys
Nest – Pure, holy	Rhidian – Red
Rhianwen – Blessed maiden	Rhun – Great, mighty
Rhona – Rough island, wise ruler	Rhydderch – Ruler, exalted
Rhonwen – White lance	Siôn – God is gracious
Rhosyn – Rose	Tegid – Beautiful and fair
Sioned – God is gracious	Tomos – Twin
Tegwen – Fair and blessed	Urien – Lord, privileged birth

Names of Famous Welsh Men and Women

Sian Adey-Jones is a model who earned several awards for her natural beauty and talents. She was born in Wales in 1957 and, in 1976, was second runner-up in the Miss Universe pageant. Sian is a Welsh form of the Hebrew name Yəhôḥānān, meaning ‘God is merciful.’

Glyn Daniel was born in Wales in 1914 and spent his life studying archeology, particularly from the European Neolithic period, also known as the Stone Age. He was a writer who helped make archeology more accessible to people through TV and radio programs. Glyn means ‘valley’ in Welsh.

Owain Glyndŵr was a leader during the Welsh War of Independence during the early 1400s. He was born in Wales around 1354, and in 1400 he claimed the title of Prince of Wales, using this title to launch the war that would make him a folk hero. Owain in Welsh names means ‘youth.’

Gareth Bale, born in Wales in 1989, is a renowned soccer player who plays for Los Angeles FC and Wales’ national team. He has earned significant awards and recognition through his work and was named PFA Players’ Player of the Year twice. Gareth is a Welsh name that means ‘gentleness.’

Roald Dahl was a writer who is best known for his children’s novels. He was born in Wales in 1916 and served in the Air Force during World War II. Scriptwriters and directors have featured his works in movies and plays, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda. Roald comes from an Old Norse name meaning ‘fame’ and ‘leader.’

References

Information from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) which publishes information on the most popular baby names using birth registration data in Wales was used in the collection of this data. Wales has laws restricting baby names that contain obscenities, numerals, misleading titles, or are impossible to pronounce. More information on permissible names in Wales can be found on the Law and Religion UK website. The Welsh Government also publishes a list of popular Welsh names for girls and boys.