Welsh baby names

257 names with Welsh roots, each one with what it actually means. 73 of them are still given to 40 or more babies a year.

In common use

Given to at least 40 babies a year in the US or England and Wales.

  • Dylanson of the sea10,158 a year · the US, 2017
  • Owenyoung warrior, well-born9,341 a year · the US, 2017
  • EvanGod is gracious4,795 a year · the US, 2017
  • Gavinwhite hawk4,134 a year · the US, 2017
  • Maddoxfortunate, beneficent; son of Madoc3,119 a year · the US, 2017
  • Morgansea-born; great and bright2,273 a year · the US, 2017
  • Reeseardent or fiery; a form of Rhys2,106 a year · the US, 2017
  • Brynleehill meadow; a form of Bryn with English suffix1,408 a year · the US, 2017
  • Brynnhill; a form of Bryn1,097 a year · the US, 2017
  • Trevorlarge settlement or great homestead898 a year · the US, 2017
  • Gwendolynfair bow or blessed ring816 a year · the US, 2017
  • Bowenson of Owen129 a year · England and Wales, 2025
  • Rhysenthusiasm, ardor106 a year · England and Wales, 2025
  • Meredithgreat ruler or magnificent ruler626 a year · the US, 2017
  • Meganpearl; a form of margaret624 a year · the US, 2017
  • Reeceardent or passionate; form of rhys615 a year · the US, 2017
  • Brycenspeckled or freckled; modern respelling of Bryce601 a year · the US, 2017
  • Idrisardent lord368 a year · England and Wales, 2025
  • Teganfair; beautiful347 a year · the US, 2017
  • Gwenwhite, fair, blessed315 a year · the US, 2017
  • Vaughnsmall or little235 a year · the US, 2017
  • Rowynslender and fair; a form of Rowena233 a year · the US, 2017
  • Elinbright, shining; related to Helen40 a year · England and Wales, 2025
  • Brynleighhill meadow; a modern respelling of Bryn with -leigh suffix231 a year · the US, 2017
  • Madduxson of Madoc; a surname used as a given name230 a year · the US, 2017
  • Dilantrue sea or faithful; a variant of Dylan229 a year · the US, 2017
  • Brynleyhill meadow; a form of Bryn with English suffix217 a year · the US, 2017
  • Emryimmortal; a Welsh form of Emrys210 a year · the US, 2017
  • Serenstar; from Welsh seren196 a year · England and Wales, 2025
  • Guineverefair one; white wave190 a year · the US, 2017
  • Cambriewales or welsh people; a respelling of Cambria189 a year · the US, 2017
  • Gwynethblessed or fair177 a year · the US, 2017
  • Rhiannongreat queen, divine queen157 a year · the US, 2017
  • Daylenson of the sea; a modern respelling of Dylan149 a year · the US, 2017
  • Brynhill147 a year · the US, 2017
  • Macsengreat; a form of Maximus141 a year · England and Wales, 2025
  • Avalonisland of apples; legendary isle131 a year · the US, 2017
  • Eirasnow112 a year · England and Wales, 2025
  • Arwennoble maiden; from Welsh ar and gwen72 a year · England and Wales, 2025
  • Gavynwhite hawk; variant spelling of Gavin107 a year · the US, 2017
  • Lloydgrey; gray-haired20 a year · England and Wales, 2025
  • Gwenythblessed, fair; a form of gwendolyn101 a year · the US, 2017
  • Ffionfoxglove flower98 a year · England and Wales, 2025
  • Emrysimmortal96 a year · England and Wales, 2025
  • Maddexson of Madoc; a modern spelling variant of Maddox95 a year · the US, 2017
  • Cairejoice or celebrate52 a year · England and Wales, 2025
  • Garethgentle; kind88 a year · the US, 2017
  • Daylanson of the sea; a modern respelling of Dylan81 a year · the US, 2017
  • Gryffinstrong lord; alternate spelling of griffin80 a year · the US, 2017
  • Dylannson of the sea; a modern respelling of Dylan77 a year · the US, 2017
  • Gladysprincess; a form of Gwladys73 a year · the US, 2017
  • Mablilovable; amiable69 a year · England and Wales, 2025
  • Merlinsea fortress or bright sea14 a year · England and Wales, 2025
  • Brynliehill meadow; a form of Bryn with English suffix -lie65 a year · the US, 2017
  • Maddynof Madoc; a form of Madelyn65 a year · the US, 2017
  • Brynnleyhill meadow; a modern respelling of Brynley61 a year · the US, 2017
  • Brynnahill; a form of Bryn or Brynn60 a year · the US, 2017
  • Dyllanson of the sea; variant spelling of Dylan56 a year · the US, 2017
  • Caryslove; a form of caris or cariad34 a year · England and Wales, 2025
  • Emrynimmortal or exalted; a form of emrys54 a year · the US, 2017
  • Gweneverefair one; variant spelling of Guinevere52 a year · the US, 2017
  • Tudorruler of the people or theodoric50 a year · England and Wales, 2025
  • Eleriupper, above; a Welsh river name49 a year · England and Wales, 2025
  • Tomostwin; Welsh form of Thomas49 a year · England and Wales, 2025
  • Dylandson of the sea; a modern respelling of Dylan47 a year · the US, 2017
  • Enidfair or beautiful47 a year · England and Wales, 2025
  • Evansson of evan; son of john47 a year · the US, 2017
  • Llewynlike a lion; from Llywelyn47 a year · the US, 2017
  • Bronwyndark, blessed; brown breast in Welsh25 a year · England and Wales, 2025
  • Brenleehill meadow; a form of Bryn with English -lee suffix45 a year · the US, 2017
  • Nansigrace; a form of Nancy41 a year · England and Wales, 2025
  • Brynnehill; a form of Bryn40 a year · the US, 2017
  • Gwendolynnwhite ring; a form of Gwendolyn40 a year · the US, 2017

Rarer names

Fewer than 40 babies a year in either country — which often means a name in wide use somewhere the records do not reach.

  • Lowrilaurel; a form of Lowry or Laura
  • Dylonson of the sea; a variant spelling of Dylan
  • Rhodrifamous ruler, renowned king
  • Calanbright; from calan dawn
  • Merrynhigh; exalted; a form of Merin or Meryn
  • Anwenvery fair or very beautiful
  • Cadynbattle; a form of Caden
  • Gruffyddstrong grip, prince
  • Ioangod is gracious; welsh form of john
  • Rhydianruler or king; from Welsh rhydd (free)
  • Dewidavid or beloved
  • Gethindusky or dark-skinned
  • Gweniverefair one; a form of Guinevere
  • Ceryslove
  • Rhianmaiden or white; feminine form of Rhys
  • Rhiannagreat maiden; extended form of Rhian
  • Dylenson of the sea; variant of Dylan
  • Griffithstrong lord or fierce chief
  • Glendafair and good; from glen and da
  • Gwyneverefair and blessed; a form of Guinevere
  • Griffynstrong lord; respelling of Griffin or Griffith
  • Rowenawhite or fair haired
  • Griffeystrong grip; a form of Griffin
  • Lliamstrong-willed warrior and protector; a form of william
  • Bronwenfair breast or white breast
  • Gwilymresolute protector; form of William in Welsh
  • Reesardent, fiery; from rhys
  • Aneiramuch loved
  • Morghansea circle; variant of Morgan
  • Rhondagood spear; a form of Rhonwen or similar
  • SianGod is gracious; Welsh form of Jane
  • Gwenllianblessed white; from gwen and llian
  • Mabonson of Mabon; a divine youth in Welsh mythology
  • Owainyoung warrior; well-born
  • Aneuringreatly blessed, very honourable
  • Gwendalynwhite ring or fair bow; a form of Gwendolyn
  • Trevergreat settlement; a form of Trevor
  • Alawoffspring, progeny
  • Jeniferfair one; a form of Jennifer
  • Morganabright sea or sea-born
  • Arianwensilver and blessed; a form of Arianna
  • Gutodiminutive of Gutyn or Guto ap Ieuan
  • Gwendolenwhite ring; fair-browed
  • Huwform of Hugh, mind, intellect
  • Llewelynlion-like or leader
  • Merlynsea fortress; a form of Merlin
  • Taliesinshining brow; radiant forehead
  • Aeronbattle; warfare
  • Celynholly
  • Gwenethfair, blessed; a form of Gwyneth
  • Ifangod is gracious; welsh form of john
  • Powellson of Howell; from ap Howel
  • Vaughansmall, little
  • Dilyntrue lion; a form of Dilwyn
  • Emyrking
  • Madocfortunate or good
  • Brycesonson of Bryce; a form of Bryce
  • Brycetonsettlement of Bryce; a form of Bryce
  • Brynahill; a form of Bryn
  • Brynleihill with -lei suffix; a form of Bryn
  • Gwynnwhite or blessed
  • Iantogod is gracious; Welsh form of John
  • Morgenmorning or sea-born; variant of Morgan
  • Morgynmorning or sea-born; modern spelling of Morgan
  • Olwenwhite footprint or white track
  • Gwionblessed, fair, white
  • Gwynblessed, fair, white; short form of gwynedd or similar
  • Nanwgrandmother, ancestress
  • Catrinpure; a form of Catherine
  • Deiogod; a form of Deio or Diego
  • Efanyoung warrior; a form of Evan
  • Enfysrainbow
  • Gwendelynwhite browed; a spelling variant of Gwendolyn
  • Iestynjust, righteous; from latin iustinus
  • Iwangod is gracious; welsh form of John
  • Llewlion
  • Llewellynlion-like; from Llew
  • Bleddynwolf cub or little wolf
  • Breninking
  • Dylynnson of the sea; modern spelling of dylan
  • Gruffuddstrong grip or fierce lord
  • Gwendolinefair bow or white ring; form of gwendolyn
  • Gwennofair or blessed; diminutive form of gwen
  • Ieuangod is gracious; form of john
  • Meredythgreat ruler; a form of Meredith
  • Cariadbeloved or darling
  • Carwynblessed love; blessed and fair
  • Cynanchief or leader
  • Gladissword; variant of Gladys
  • Gwendalynnfair, blessed; a modern respelling of Gwendolen or Gwendolyn
  • Gwennanfair, blessed; form of Gwen with diminutive suffix
  • Gwyndolynfair, blessed; variant spelling of Gwendolyn
  • Maddocfortunate and benevolent; from Madog
  • Teilofair, handsome; welsh saint name
  • Trelynharp
  • Dilyssincere, genuine, true
  • Dylanison of the sea; a form of Dylan
  • Dyllonson of the sea; a form of Dylan
  • Eirlyssnowdrop flower
  • Llywelynleader, lion-like figure
  • Lynlake; a diminutive of Lynn
  • Aledoffspring; noble
  • Anwynvery fair or beautiful
  • Bevanson of evan; young warrior
  • Dyfanfrom the people; of the tribe
  • Eiriansilver, bright
  • Gwennethwhite, blessed; a form of Gwyneth
  • Gwynnethwhite, blessed; a form of Gwyneth
  • Hyweleminent; prominent
  • Ioloworthy lord; form of Julius
  • Llionlion
  • Llyrsea
  • Mairmaiden
  • Meridethgreat ruler; form of meredith
  • Mostynfortress in the moss; place name origin
  • Tiriongentle; kind
  • Twmtom; a form of Thomas
  • Wynnifredblessed reconciliation; archaic form of Winifred
  • Alynfair; handsome
  • Arwynnfair; a form of Arwen or Arwyn
  • Brynlinhill lake; a form of Bryn
  • Cadelbattle or warrior
  • Cadeybattle or warrior; variant of Cadel
  • Derynbird
  • Dyanbright or from Dion
  • Dylanieson of the sea; a form of Dylan
  • Dylynson of the sea; variant spelling of Dylan
  • Elainfawn, doe
  • Elgansmall bright one
  • Ginniferfair one; a respelling of Guinevere or Jennifer
  • Griffinnvariant of Griffin, meaning strong lord
  • Griffonvariant of Griffin, meaning strong lord
  • Gwenevierevariant of Gwyneth or Gwen, meaning fair or blessed
  • Gwenevievevariant of Genevieve, meaning woman of the race
  • Gwennavariant of Gwen, meaning fair or blessed
  • Howelleminent or high; a form of Howel
  • Maddockfortunate; son of Madoc
  • Maredmare; beloved; a form of Maredydd
  • Morgannbright sea or great circle; spelling variant of morgan
  • Nestapure; a form of Nesta or Agnes
  • Owensyoung warrior; a form of Owen
  • Sionedgod is gracious; a form of jeanne
  • Tesniwarmth
  • Aderynbird
  • Afonriver
  • Aneirinnoble and golden
  • Begwsmall; little
  • Branwenbeautiful raven
  • Calonheart
  • Derifrom the oak grove
  • Eiryssnowdrop flower; a form of Eirlys
  • Enlliisland; from the name of an isle off wales
  • Griffyddstrong lord; a form of Griffith
  • Gryffstrong lord; a diminutive of Griffydd
  • Hafsummer
  • Heulwensunshine
  • Lewysfamous warrior; welsh form of louis
  • Llinoslinnet bird
  • Tanwenwhite fire
  • Telerishining; fair
  • Trevbig; a form of Trevor
  • Angharadmuch loved or greatly loved
  • Awenmuse or poetic inspiration
  • Awenamuse; a form of Awen
  • Betsanblessed; a form of elizabeth
  • Caradogbeloved; dear friend
  • Colwynnarrow lake or inlet
  • Dwynwenblessed reconciliation; welsh saint of love
  • Fflurflowers bloom
  • Gryffyddstrong lord; ruddy
  • Gweniblessed; fair; a form of Gwen
  • Hafwensummer peace
  • Iforarcher; a form of Ivor
  • Iorwerthhandsome lord; from ior and berth
  • Margedpearl; a form of margaret
  • Myfanwymy rare one or my precious one
  • Neryslady or nobility
  • Tecwynfair, beautiful and blessed
  • Tegidbeautiful, fair
  • Glyndavalley; variant of Glenda with -da suffix
  • Glynisvalley; from glyn valley
  • Glynnvalley; from glyn or used as name form
  • Gwendafair, blessed; a form of Gwendolyn
  • Meridithgreat ruler; a variant of meredith

Which of these would you actually choose?

Put them head-to-head and find out. Every name here can be voted on.

Play now

This page gathers names our sources describe as Welsh and Welsh/Old English. Different eras of the same language, filed together.

Browse the other origins