By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 7 pages
of 7
Welsh
"winding river"
Brings to mind the romantic and elegant eighteenth century portraits of George Romney.
"primrose"
Unusual floral name which would be perfect for a spring baby girl, if you can pronounce the Welsh double L correctly. It's a tricky sound for non-native Welsh speakers, kind of halfway between an H…
"white flower"
An unusual floral -wen name which was the name of an 1878 opera by Welsh composer Joseph Parry.
"shining brow"
Taliesin is a name an architecture-minded parent could love, because of its close association with Frank Lloyd Wright.
"holy fire"
Tanwen is a far more singular and colorful alternative to Bronwen.
"shield"
A distinctive name, originally male, that could be an updated tribute to Grandma Marian.
Welsh diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
"pledged to God"
Very popular in Wales, this perfectly nice name's only problem is its similarity to the dated Beth Ann. But if you're looking to honor an ancestral Elizabeth with a distinctive rare choice, Bethan…
"fair, white, blessed, beautiful"
Tegwen is a Welsh name that balances between clunky and mystical, sweet and tough. Created back in the 19th century by blending the element teg "beautiful, pretty", with the element wen "fair, white,…
Betrys is a feminine name with Welsh origins, representing a Celtic variant of Beatrice. The traditional name Beatrice comes from Latin 'Beatrix,' meaning 'she who brings happiness' or 'blessed.'…
"silver + yellow; silver + shining"
This early Welsh saint's name is unusual and lovely, waiting to be discovered. Saint Arianell was a member of the Welsh royal family who was possessed by a spirit which was exorcised by Saint Dyfrig,…
"vigorous, fertile"
Ivy League choice many will mistake for the Israeli favorite Yael, which has a different root and meaning.
"woman of silver"
Spelling variant of Arianwen. Note that in Welsh, the -wyn suffix is usually masculine.
"beautiful"
A traditional Welsh name that looks like a variant of Arden, but actually derives from the Welsh word for "beautiful".
Welsh variation of Agnes
This is the most popular Welsh form of Agnes. Variants include Annest and Nest. There was an eleventh century Nest who was known as 'Helen of Wales' for her beauty and the problems it caused.
Cornish and Welsh place name and surname
"top of the heath"
Penrose – an ancient place-name and surname derived from several villages in Cornwall, Wales, and the Welsh border country of England – would make for an even more unexpected alternative to quirky…
Welsh pet form of Elizabeth
Betsan is little-known outside of the U.K. but it could provide an intriguing alternative to Liz, Beth, Betsy, Betty, and Libby.
"holly"
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.
Tolkien may have been inspired by this unisex name of a Celtic goddess of war. Welsh poet Dylan Thomas named his daughter the variation Aeronwy. With goddess names so hot for baby girls, this…
Cornish, Welsh or Breton
Made familiar by poet William Blake. According to Blake, after her death, Conwenna "shines ... over the north with pearly beams gorgeous and terrible". Make of that what you will.
Welsh invented name
"pretty and fair"
Delwen appears to be a modern invented name in Welsh, deriving from two common name components: del - meaning pretty and wen - meaning fair/white. Similar names include Delyth, also Welsh, and…
