Abboid

This name of a legendary Welsh prince could serve as a more original alternative to Adam or Aidan, though it does sound a tad chemical. 

Adeon

Aeron was possibly a minor Celtic god of war, and is definitely a river in modern-day Wales.

Aeron

Aland

Allyn

This name of a river in Wales represents a vowel change from Alan, which makes the name somewhat more intriguing, but still possibly not intriguing enough. Bonus points if you're a surfer, sailor, or you're expecting a baby born under a water sign of the zodiac: It's one of the more unusual <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/10/water-baby-names">names that mean water</a>.

Alun

This Welsh river name has possibilities as a place name and nature name that is rare and uncommon.

Alwyn

Aneirin is the original form of the more common Aneurin (which was a mistaken spelling used after the 17th Century). Aneirin was one of the first great Welsh poets who flourished in the 6th Century. He was said to be the Prince of Bards. 

Aneirin

Rarely heard in the US, it's best remembered in the U.K. via Aneurin Bevan, who as Minister for Health was instrumental in setting up the National Health Service. Bevan was known as Nye, a jaunty nickname that fits in with the likes of Kai, Rye, and Sky.

Aneurin

Aodh, the name of the Celtic sun god meaning "fire", was common in early Scotland. It's also the origin of the wildly popular Irish name Aidan (originally Aodhán). Its pronunciation varies depending on region: AY or EE are Irish pronunciations, and in Scotland it's closer to UH, and has been Anglicized as Hugh.

Aodh

This Welsh name, also used in France, is the name of a 6th century saint who went to Brittany and established abbeys. Armel has a pleasant and familiar sound, making it easily used outside of Wales and France.

Armel

An unusual name for a child with golden hair.  Auron is a Welsh female name with the same meaning.

Auryn

Aedann

Derived from the Scottish Gaelic bàn, meaning "white, fair". It's also a name in J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional Elvish language, in which it means "beautiful".

Bain

Bearnard

Unusual two-syllable choice with a real pronunciation challenge. 

Bleddyn

What it really means: you're a "Casablanca" fan. 

Bogart

Bowen is a Celtic surname representing two separate Celtic strains, one Welsh and one Irish, and entered the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2011.
 Football Hall of Famer Drew Brees named his son Bowen, as did a recent reality show couple looking for the perfect name to 'brand' their baby. It does have the appealing nickname Bo.

Bowen

Branton may be more unusual than Brandon but it will forever be confused with that name.

Branton

Brychan

The simple and attractive Bryn is well used for boys in Wales, and does have a history as a male name in the US, although both Bryn and Brynn are currently far more popular for girls.

 Fans of British TV sitcom Gavin and Stacey will recognize it as the name of Stacey's lovable and eccentric uncle, played by Rob Brydon.

Bryn

The Dutch meaning (Buell is the Dutch occupational name for a hangman) is enough to keep most people away. 

Buell

Bronnen

Cadell is a surname that is unlikely to win many supporters, except perhaps from parents looking for an alternative to Caden.  But while Cadell is more distinctive, that L ending is weaker and less appealing than Caden's strong N. 

Cadell

This Welsh saint's name has an industrial edge. 

Cadoc

This surname borne by several early Welsh leaders has a lot of energy. 

Cadogan

Cael is the name of the angel of the zodiac sign of Cancer and also of a warrior of Irish mythology. Its ascendance to the Top 1000 over the past decade probably has to do with its similarity to Cale and Kale (and Kyle and Cayden etcetera).

Cael

Callen is a unisex Gaelic name growing in popularity here.  Its newfound trendiness is possibly related to the Chris O'Donnell character on "NCIS: Los Angeles", known only as G. Callen.  Jazz musician Cal Tjader's full name is Callen.

Callen

An ancient Celtic name worn by one of the Knights of the Round Table, as well as a semi-legendary Welsh King.

Caradoc

Noted bearers of this surname include a metaphysical poet, a Nobel Prize winner, and a baseball Hall of Famer, so there's plenty of hero-name inspiration. 

Carew

Derived from Welsh caru meaning "to love".

Caron

Celyn, which starts with the hard K sound and rhymes with Helen, is a Top 100 name in Wales although largely unknown outside that tiny, beautiful country. It is usually a masculine name.

Celyn

Long popular in Ireland and England, Ciarán is the name of Ireland's first-born saint and twenty-five other saints. While this is the authentic Irish spelling, it is more familiar in the US in the Anglicized Kieran spelling.

Ciarán

Daffydd

Extremely common in Wales and England, Dafydd would likely leave some non-Welsh speakers confused at first. But we love the soft, lispy quality this variation offers.

Dafydd

Simplify things and spell it Dai, or even Day. 

Deiniol

This old Cornish name took on a whole new identity via Denzel Washington, who has inspired several thousand namesakes. The actor was named after his father, who was named for a Dr. Denzel, who delivered him. 

Denzel

The name of the patron saint of Wales is virtually unknown in the US under this spelling. There were no baby boys named Dewi or Dewie in the US in 2021, though there were 35 named Dewey. Incredibly enough, Dewey ranked among the US Top 1000 for an entire century, from 1887 to 1986, reaching as high as Number 19 in 1898.

Dewi

Welsh heritage choice that's rare today even in its native land.

Dilwyn

Star Wars and Harry Potter actor Domhnall Gleeson put this Irish and Scottish name on the international map. Sometimes Anglicized as Donal, its pronunciation is close to Donald without the final d. 

Domhnall

The Welsh form of Tristan, and the name of a counselor to King Arthur.

Drystan

Dyfan

Dellen

Deryn

Dwyn

Eamonn

A pleasingly simple alternate spelling of Aidan - but likely to get confused with Eden. In Hebrew, it means "era", and it's a Top 100 name in Israel.

Edan

Edwyn

A charming Welsh name with a great meaning, borne by E. B. White, author of Charlotte's Web.

Elwyn

Gentle and poetic and often heard in Wales, Emlyn joins Emrys as soft, interesting alternatives to popular Em- names like Emmett and Emery.

Emlyn

If you're looking for a Welsh name less common than Dylan, Griffin, Evan, or Morgan, you might want to consider this offbeat epithet of the wise wizard Merlin. 

Root name Ambrose is an ancient saints' name derived from the Greek ambrosia, the food and drink of the gods that conferred immortality.

Emrys

Emyr is a name that is well-known in Wales, but little heard outside of it. There are several well-known Emyrs, from the famed Welsh novelist and poet Emyr Humphries to footballer Emyr Huws. 
Etymologically, Emyr may be connected to the Arabic word and name, emir, as they have similar sounds and meanings.

Emyr

Endellion is the name of an early saint who was a daughter of King Brychan and goddaughter of King Arthur whose life is commemorated by the Cornish village of St. Endellion. This intriguing ancient name was brought into modern usage by British Prime Minister David Cameron, who used it as one of the <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/673/middle-names">middle names</a> for his fourth child (a daughter).
 Although originally a feminine name, like most place names, there is no reason Endellion can't be used as masculine name. Indeed, a lot of boys would love to have the word "lion" in their name.

 

The Latinized form of the name is Endelienta.

Endellion

Pronounced like Owen, this was the name of several early Irish kings and saints, as well as a celebrated Ulster hero. Often spelled with two 'n's in Scotland, it has been Anglicized as Ewan, Ewen, Euan, Owen, Hugh, or Eugene.

Eoghan

Though Eoin is a Gaelic form of John, its Anglicized pronunciation links it directly to Owen. Eoin is currently a Top 30 name in Ireland. Other variations: Ewan, Ewen, Evan and Eoghan (pronounced as Owen but also translated as Eugene).

 Eoin Colfer is the author of the Artemis Fowl books.

Eoin

Eseld

Eóghan

Foghlaidh

Folant

Ffion

Fflur

Ffraid

Gabhan

This cross-cultural name, found in Wales, Brittany, and Spain, is a surprise star in the U.S. in recent years, largely thanks to actor Gael Garcia Bernal. It's especially popular in Texas.

Gael

Galyn

Gareth, the name of a modest and brave knight in King Arthur's court, makes a sensitive, gently appealing choice, used more in its native Wales than anywhere else.
 The name Gareth first appeared in Malory's Morte d'Arthur, as the lover of Eluned, the brother of Gawain and nephew of King Arthur. He also appears in the Gareth and Lynette segment of Tennyson's Idylls of the King.
In the British version of The Office, Gareth is the name of the equivalent character of Dwight Schrute, and it also appeared in Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Recommended nickname: Gaz. Not recommended nickname: Gary.

Gareth

This name of the courteous Knight of the Round Table, the nephew of King Arthur, has long been superseded by its Scottish form, Gavin. 

Gawain

The connection to a knight of the Round Table in Arthurian legend gives this name a hint of nobility.  Geraint Thomas was a Welsh cyclist who competed in the 2008 Olympics.

Geraint

Very popular in Wales; this could make a nice middle name in honor of a Grandpa Glenn. 

Glyn

This Old Welsh name associated with blacksmiths has never caught on, but it has the right two-syllable occupational feel to qualify for revival. Gower Champion was a successful midcentury dancer, choreographer and director on the Broadway stage, in films and on TV.


Gower

A classic Welsh name, softer than Griffin and friendlier to spell than Gruffudd - that hasn't had as much love as it deserves elsewhere. Namesakes range from medieval kings to the philanthropist Griffith J. Griffith, who left land to the city of Los Angeles. It's great in full, but Griff is cool too.

Griffith

Gwallter

The Welsh version of William is almost unheard-of across, but it's fairly straightforward and could make a good heritage choice or alternative honor name.

Gwilym

If you want to go waaaaay beyond William, consider this Welsh form, which can also be spelled Gwilym, Gwilim, or Gwillym.

Gwylym

Short, simple, gentle, undeniably Welsh but easy to spell and pronounce – there's a lot to like about this underused gem. In the States it's been almost exclusively female, perhaps due to the greater familiarity of Gwen, but it definitely feels like a candidate to reclaim for the boys. 

 Gwyn has exactly the same meaning and origin as his much more popular Irish cousin Finn.

Gwyn

Gwynne

Gaenor

Glenys

Glynis

Takes Edwin one step -- make that ten steps -- too far. 

Heddwyn

This Welsh name presents some pronunciation/spelling challenges but has a lovely sound and meaning. The name has been used in the South Korean multiplayer game Mabinogi for one of the human healer characters.

Heulfryn

Iain, this authentic Gaelic form of John, has been well used in Scotland since the early twentieth century, used concurrently with the shortened Ian spelling, but is rarely seen in the US. 
 Iain Banks and Iain Sinclair are respected contemporary Scottish novelists.

Iain

A common Welsh name virtually unknown before the emergence of the charismatic Idris Elba, first on The Wire and then depicting Nelson Mandela in the acclaimed film.
Idris Hawr "the Giant" was a legendary seventh-century Welsh giant and magician who gave his name to a well-known mountain, "Idris's Fort".
Idris also exists in Arabic, meaning "to learn, study" and is the name of a prophet mentioned twice in the Quran. Idris Shah was a prominent Sufi writer.

Idris

Ieuan is a Scrabble-rack full of impossible vowels. Consider Ewan, Ian, or Owen instead.

Ieuan

Ifor seems to make more sense in its Anglicized version, Ivor. 

Ifor

Ilar

Inek

Rhythmic Welsh nickname name, derived from the Welsh royal name Iorwerth, which has sometimes been anglicized as Edward. 

Iolo

Islwyn is the name of a mountain in Wales which has a pleasant fluid sound. Islwyn has recently been made more familiar through Runescape.

Islwyn

Iwan

Jago is a dashing alternative to overused favorite Jacob. 

Jago

Unusual twist -- but everyone will hear it as Justin -- or jester. 

Jestin

Yet another offshoot of the original John, also sometimes used as Jevan or Yevan.

Jevon

St. Keverne is a town on Cornwall's Lizard Peninsula and also the name of an ancient saint.  While the name is virtually unused for children in the modern world, it could be a Kevin update and has contemporary possibilities.

Keverne

This name is unusual enough that the spelling variation won't be too much of a further complication.  While the Biblical cognate Cain may be more classic, this removes the name from any negative associations.

Keyne

Now that Kimberly is no longer one of the top girl names, Kim or long form Kimball feel more gender neutral. 

Kimball

Kerris

alyshadragonfriend's list "Male Greater Elf Names " of 184 great name ideas: Abboid - Yale!

Male Greater Elf Names 

Greater Elf is my name for elves that are tall and resemble humans except with pointed ears. Because, when you say elf, most people imagine Santa's elves. Anyway, here are some names for male Greater Elves.